A Judas Mentality

Matthew 26:14–16 ESV – “Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.”

Judas Iscariot’s name has become synonymous with betrayal, but his actions didn’t come from nowhere. His decision to hand over Jesus for thirty pieces of silver wasn’t just a random act of treachery—it was the fruit of a heart already drifting. And if we’re honest, that same spirit still creeps into our own hearts today. It’s what we’ll call a Judas Mentality.

A Judas Mentality is transactional faith. It asks, “What will you give me if I follow Jesus? What do I get in return?” Judas had walked with Jesus. He had seen the miracles, heard the teachings, and even participated in ministry. Yet, he still chose profit over the presence of God. He traded eternal life for momentary gain. That mindset, though ancient, is still alive when we serve God only when it benefits us. When comfort, success, or influence becomes more valuable than faithfulness, we’re not far from where Judas stood.

But what’s even more sobering is that Judas looked like one of the twelve until the end. He blended in. He served, he followed, he listened—but his heart wasn’t surrendered. A Judas Mentality isn’t always loud or obvious. It can hide behind religious activity, surface-level faith, or selective obedience. It waits for a moment of convenience to walk away from Jesus for something cheaper.

So how do we guard against it? By returning to a heart of worship that doesn’t ask, “What will you give me?” but instead says, “You’ve already given me everything.” Jesus didn’t die for our partial devotion. He died to rescue us from the very betrayal that Judas embraced. Let’s be people who reject the Judas Mentality and choose a surrendered life that says yes to Jesus—even when there’s no silver in it for us.

Reflection Questions:

  • Are there areas in your life where your loyalty to Jesus depends on personal gain?

  • How can you cultivate a heart that follows Christ out of love, not transaction?

  • What “thirty pieces of silver” might be tempting you to trade your obedience for?

Let’s not just walk with Jesus—we must walk toward Him, heart and soul.