The Art of War Part 1: Guarding Your Sacred Energy from Energy Vultures

By Mike Rashid King

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a person who tries to take advantage of someone who is in a very bad situation

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Etymology of Vulture is to pluck or to tear….

That relates to how a vulture eats….

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Vultures are cowards…

They only feed on dead animals….

They have highly acidic stomach acid…

So they can digest decayed flesh. And nuetralize deadly pathogens like anthrax….

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They are sneaky… they don’t make noise…. Silent….

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The only positive attribute is the fact that they are excellent scavangers…

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Wave War  Against Energy Vultures and Fake Friends

1. Know Their Patterns Before They Strike

They move in cycles… not straight lines.

They pop up when you win, vanish when you bleed.

Watch the timing of their praise—it’s often camouflage.

Study how they show up when they need something.

2. Measure Energy, Not Words

Words lie. Energy don’t.

A real one leaves you charged.

A fake leaves you drained, confused, second-guessing.

Ask yourself: How do I feel after I’m around them?

3. Never Ignore the Glitch in Your Spirit

That pause you feel? That gut pullback? That’s divine radar.

Your subconscious always clocks the snake before your ego admits it.

Honor your inner alarm system.

4. Use the Mirror Test

Fake friends can’t celebrate your truth.

Speak your truth, your goals, your boundaries—

watch who gets silent, sarcastic, or switches up.

5. Weaponize Distance

Energy vultures starve when you stop feeding them attention.

Don’t explain. Don’t argue.

Just fall back… and watch their mask crack.

6. Look for Loyalty in Absence

Real ones defend your name when you’re not there.

Fake ones rehearse betrayal in private.

Ask: Who speaks up for me when I’m not around?

7. Track Their Intent, Not Their Image

They might look successful, spiritual, charming.

But intent don’t lie.

Are they builders or borrowers? Protectors or parasites?

8. Remove Without Ritual

You don’t need closure with an enemy pretending to be a friend.

You don’t need a dramatic goodbye.

Just exit. Quietly or loudly, whichever keeps your peace intact.

9. Stay Light, But Move Like a Shadow

Remain rooted in love, but don’t be naive.

You’re not here to be liked—you’re here to be legendary.

Keep your heart pure… but keep your blade sharp.

10. Build a Circle That Checks You, Not Jealous You

Your tribe should challenge your excuses, hype your wins, guard your name,

and match your frequency not just mimic your vibe.

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The Art of War: Part 1: Fake Friends

The Words Behind the War

Let us start by defining our battleground. In the title “The Art of War,” each word carries weight:

• Art – from Latin ars, meaning skill or craft . Art isn’t just paintings; it’s mastery through practice. Etymologically, art is about fitting things together with skill, even related to arma (weapons) . In our context, art implies strategy, the skillful way we must approach conflicts of the soul.
  
  
• Of – a small word linking big ideas. Of denotes belonging or connection. (In Old English it meant “away from” , but now it shows possession.) Here it connects art and war, implying the strategy belonging to conflict. “Art of War” means the craft of conflict itself.
  
  
• War – more than battles and bloodshed. The word war comes from Old French werre, rooted in Proto-Germanic werz- meaning to confuse or bring into confusion . War is chaos, conflict, a struggle for power. It can be fought with armies on fields, or with emotions and intentions in our everyday lives. In this series, war is the struggle for your energy and spirit in the face of deceit and negativity.
  
  

Now, who are the enemies in this war? We turn to the phrase “fake friends.” A fake friend is an enemy in disguise, a person who smiles to your face but stabs your back when you turn. Breaking it down: “fake” means not genuine, originally thieves’ slang for a counterfeit or forgery . “Friend” comes from Old English freond, meaning one who loves (from the Proto-Germanic root frijōjan “to love”) . So a fake friend is literally a counterfeit friend,  an imposter of love. They pretend to care, but it’s a ruse to trick you into giving them trust or benefits . In other words, a fake friend offers the image of friendship without the intent or heart of true friendship.

And finally, consider the vulture, a creature that will symbolize our fake friends. The vulture is a bird of prey specialized in scavenging, feeding on what’s already dead or dying . The very word comes from Latin vultur meaning to tear or pluck apart, and since the 16th century “vulture” has been a metaphor for a person with rapacious, preyful tendencies . Vultures circle silently, drawn to death and weakness. They don’t kill straight-out; they wait for others to do the work, then swoop in to feast on the leftovers . In human terms, vultures are those so-called friends who lurk until they see an opportunity,  when you’re vulnerable or when you have something they want, and then they pounce. They are sneaky, silent, scavenging, cowardly opportunists, as dangerous in the spiritual landscape as vultures are on the battlefield of nature.

Summary: In this war for your spirit, art is your strategy, war is the struggle itself, and the enemy ranks are filled with fake friends – those vultures in human form who come not to support you but to feed off you. Now, as the ancient strategist Sun Tzu advised, “if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles” . Let’s get to know these fake friends (our enemies) and ourselves (our intuition and power) on a deeper level.

Vultures in Our Lives: Spotting the Fake Friends

Vultures watch and wait. In nature, a vulture perches quietly on a rotting window frame, eyes on a carcass in the distance, patient and unannounced. They show up in cycles, appearing whenever there’s something to be gained,  a meal for them, never mind the misfortune of the fallen. Fake friends operate the same way. They have a radar for when you have something they want or when you’re at a low point; that’s when they swoop in. When your life is shining, they want to bask in your light (and grab a piece for themselves). When you’re struggling, they might show up pretending to offer sympathy,  but check their motive. Are they here to help you heal, or just to feast on the drama and feel superior?

Just as a vulture circles its prey from above, the fake friend stays just close enough to monitor you. They might not be around day-to-day offering genuine support, but let you achieve something notable or hear that you’ve stumbled, and suddenly ding, there they are texting or appearing out of nowhere. They come “out of the blue” in predictable cycles, when it benefits them. It could be seasonal, like that college buddy who only calls near your birthday (not to wish you well, but to get invited to the party you always throw). Or the coworker who only chats you up when you’ve got insider info or office gossip. Think of those who vanish when you need help moving houses or when you’re sick, but reappear when you’ve got concert tickets or success they can share. Fake friends show up when the weather’s fair, or when there’s something to gain, never in the storm unless there’s something in it for them. These are the “fair-weather friends,” or better yet the “foul-weather vultures.”

Notice the cowardice in this behavior. A vulture will not fight a healthy animal,  it waits until the prey is down. Similarly, a fake friend doesn’t confront you or support you in your strength; they wait until you’re not in a position to see through them. They’ll rarely directly attack you (to your face). Instead, they might talk behind your back (pecking at your reputation when you’re not around) or simply hover silently, giving minimal effort until the moment they can take advantage. They let others (or circumstances) do the hard work, then reap the spoils. As the wildlife experts note, vultures bide their time, watching from a distance as true predators make the kill; only after the lions have eaten do the vultures descend to pick the carcass clean . Likewise, a fake friend might let you do all the work in a project, and then happily take credit or enjoy the rewards. Or they let you expose your vulnerabilities and truths, and later use that knowledge to benefit themselves.

One hallmark of these human “vultures” is a lack of loyalty in your absence. A true friend defends your name when you’re not around. A fake friend? They join the feast. If others start criticizing you, the fake friend won’t stand up for you, they might even pile on, pecking at your weaknesses to fit in or elevate themselves. If you’ve stepped away from the group for a while, do they check on you out of genuine care, or only reach out when they need something? Their loyalty exists only when they have eyes on them, when you’re there to witness their “friendliness.” The minute you’re not useful or not present, that loyalty evaporates like a morning mist under a desert sun. They are friends in appearance, strangers in truth.

So how do we identify these people? Measure patterns, not promises. Vultures follow patterns (circling, waiting). Fake friends do too. Observe when and why someone shows up in your life. Is there a pattern that it’s only during party times, success times, or crisis times that benefit them? Do they consistently vanish during your hardships (when support is needed) but return when you have something to give? Identify those cyclical friendships that leave you wondering, “Where were they when I needed them?” or “Why do I feel used after our interactions?” The truth is likely that they were perched on some distant branch, waiting for your situation to become their opportunity.

Takeaway Tactics – Spotting the Vulture:

• Watch the Cycle: Keep an eye on friends’ patterns. Who contacts you only when they need a favor, money, or a boost? Who is only around for the good times but ghosts you during the bad? Make a note of inconsistencies.
  
  
• Loyalty Check: Test loyalty by distance – step back a little and see if they still check in on you. Or listen for what they say about you when you’re not in the room. A real friend will defend or support you in absence; a fake friend might stay silent or join in gossip.
  
  
• Benefit Analysis: Ask yourself honestly, “What does this person gain from being around me right now?” If the answer is always something like status, information, or convenience (and rarely because they just value you), that’s a red flag.
  
  
• Energy Audit: After you hang out with them, do you feel nourished or drained? (More on this next.) Often, fake friends leave you feeling used, indicating they came as consumers, not contributors.
  
  

Energy Never Lies: Intuition and the Mirror Test

If vultures and fake friends are adept at appearing friendly, how do we see through their disguise? This is where you must trust your inner wisdom, your energy and intuition. Words can lie, but energy never lies. A fake friend can say all the right things: “Love you, bro! So happy for you! You can count on me.” But your body, your spirit, might feel a subtle tension hearing those words. Perhaps every time you’re around this person, you come away inexplicably exhausted or uneasy. That is your intuition waving a red flag. Measure energy, not words. Instead of focusing on what people say, focus on how being around them makes you feel. Our spirit knows when it’s being fed and when it’s being drained. Pay attention: do you feel uplifted or depleted after interacting with a friend? Consistent emotional exhaustion in someone’s presence is a tell-tale sign of an energy vampire (another form of vulture). They might be smiling, but maybe your stomach is in knots, something is off. That something is the truth behind the facade.

Trust your intuition. It is the God-given internal compass for truth. The Infinite God Body within you,  that divine spark, will often sense a person’s intent before your mind does. How many times have you said, “I had a bad feeling about them, but I ignored it”? In hindsight, that gut feeling is almost always right. In this sacred war against fake friends, your intuition is your first line of defense. It’s like a radar system picking up on subtle disturbances in the energy field. When you get that niggling feeling that a friend’s vibes don’t match their words, honor that. You don’t need logical proof to justify distancing from someone who consistently drags your spirit down. Your soul’s discomfort is evidence enough. As it’s said, the spirit knows what the eyes can’t see.

To further discern true friends from false, use the mirror test. What is the mirror test? Hold up the mirror of truth and see how they react. In practical terms: speak truth to them, especially truth about yourself, and gauge their response. For example, share something you are proud of (an achievement or a dream) and watch their reaction closely. A true friend’s eyes will light up with genuine happiness for you; they’ll celebrate your win as if it were their own. A fake friend might flash a smile, but you’ll catch a flicker of envy or discomfort, or they’ll quickly change the topic to themselves. Or try sharing a vulnerable truth, something personal, the real you. A true friend will respond with empathy and support; a fake friend may get impatient, make a joke of it, or seem disinterested because your truth isn’t useful to them. Their reaction in the mirror of your honesty reveals their heart. If your growth, success, or deep truth makes them uncomfortable or irritable, beware. As one proverb says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” The true friend might gently correct you out of love (a wound that heals), but the fake friend will kiss up to you with flattery while secretly letting you stumble (deceit). Use honesty like a mirror, it reflects back what people are made of.

Also consider Intent vs. Image. Many fake friends are experts in maintaining a good image. They know how to appear supportive when it benefits their reputation. They might publicly praise you on social media, not because they truly care, but because it makes them look good to be your “friend.” Meanwhile, their intent might be self-serving: maybe they want others to associate them with your success, or they’re hoping you’ll return the favor and praise them too. Always ask: Does this person care about me, or about how being connected to me makes them look? For instance, do they show up with you to events to “be seen,” but never actually check on you in private? Are they quick to take selfies with you when you’re doing well, but nowhere to be found when you’re struggling (where there’s no spotlight)? That discrepancy between intent and image is telling. A real friend’s intent is love and support, even if no one else sees it. A fake friend’s intent is often to polish their own image, friendship is just a means to an end.

At times, separating the real from the fake can be confusing. The fake friend might do some genuinely nice things or say the right words, which makes you second-guess yourself. In those moments, return to your intuition and the energy. Sometimes our mind gets tricked by appearances, but our spirit does not. Trust that spirit. Remember, you are part of the Infinite God Body,  you have a spark of divine discernment. When you align with that, you start feeling people’s intentions clearly. It’s almost like seeing an aura: no matter what color clothes a person wears (what words they say), their aura (energy) gives them away. Cultivate that sensitivity. It will save you from countless betrayals and disappointments.

Takeaway Tactics – Discerning the Real:

• Gut-Check Journaling: After encounters, jot down how you feel. Do this especially with people you’re unsure about. Over time, patterns emerge (e.g., “Every time after hanging with X, I feel anxious / drained”). Your gut feelings recorded will reinforce what intuition is saying.
  
  
• Mirror Test Conversation: Try sharing a sincere joy or deep truth with the friend in question. Watch their eyes and body language. Do they truly engage and encourage, or do they seem impatient, jealous, or dismissive? Their immediate, unfiltered reaction reveals their true feelings.
  
  
• Compare Talk vs. Walk: List a friend’s promises or kind words side by side with their actions. For instance, “She says I’m like family to her, but when have her actions shown that? Did she stand by me during my rough patch?” If you struggle to find matching actions for their grand words, that’s a problem.
  
  
• Check Intent Over Image: Mentally remove the “audience” and see what remains. Ask, “If no one else would ever know about it, would this person still do the nice thing they do for me?” For example, if they help you only when others are watching, it’s image. A friend who helps you in secret when there’s no glory – that’s intent. Evaluate recent interactions through this lens.
  
  
• Trust the Tingle: That subtle tingle of unease, that tight chest, that sudden tiredness – don’t brush it off. Next time you feel bad vibes from someone (even if they’re smiling), take it seriously. You don’t have to accuse them immediately, but make a mental note to be cautious and gather more evidence if needed. Your body often senses what your mind hasn’t articulated yet.
  
  

The Power of Distance: When Silence Becomes a Weapon

Not every battle is won with direct confrontation. In the art of war, sometimes strategic retreat or silence is the best weapon. When dealing with fake friends, one of your most powerful moves is distance. Think of distance as a two-edged sword: it protects you from their toxic influence, and it also exposes them for who they are. Just as a castle under siege might lift its drawbridge to keep invaders out, you can raise the drawbridge of your life and create space. This can feel counterintuitive, we often think we must confront a fake friend dramatically, or conversely, we feel guilty and think we owe them closeness because of history. But hear this: Distance is not a betrayal; it’s a boundary. It is completely within your rights to withdraw your time and energy from anyone who consistently drains or harms you.

When you step back and give a fake friend space, two things happen. First, you starve them of what they feed on. Remember, fake friends (vultures) come for the “carrion”  your emotional scraps, your successes to leech off, the gossip, the benefits. If you stop providing those, many fake friends will simply move on to the next target. This might sting, to realize they don’t chase you or miss you,  but it’s a blessing. Their quick departure once you stop feeding them attention or benefits confirms that they weren’t here for you, only for the feast. In war terms, it’s like cutting off an enemy’s supply lines: without fuel, they cannot continue the campaign. Distance cuts the supply of energy that fake friends thrive on.

Second, distance reveals truth. As long as you’re constantly in contact with a fake friend, their performance continues. When you create distance, you give space for reality to surface. A genuine friend, when given space, will reach out, check on you, ask if you’re okay. They’ll notice your absence and care about it. A fake friend might not even notice you’re gone, and if they do, it might only be to wonder why you’re not providing what they need. They might even be relieved that you’re not around (because perhaps your success made them jealous, or your needs inconvenienced them). By stepping back, you force the question: will they make an effort to bridge that gap? If weeks go by and they don’t bother to connect,  or if your instinct says they haven’t even thought of you, that silence speaks volumes. Your absence is a test; their response (or lack thereof) is the result. In some cases, a fake friend will chase after you, but notice how they chase. Is it “Hey, I miss you, are you okay?” (caring) or “Hey, where have you been? You missed X event, I needed you there!” (self-centered)? The tone will tell you what you need to know.

Now, creating distance can be done gracefully. You don’t need to announce, “I’m distancing myself from you because you’re fake.” (In most cases, that only causes unnecessary drama, because fake friends rarely admit their faults and may retaliate by smearing you to others.) Instead, simply pull back your availability. Take longer to respond. Politely decline some invitations. Share less of your personal life and energy with them. Essentially, fade a bit into the background. This intentional gap is like a quiet fortress,  you are still cordial, still moving with love (we’ll get to that), but you are not actively engaging. This gives you perspective. With a bit of space, you’ll start to see the friendship more objectively: How does life feel without this person in my ear every day? Am I more at peace? Often, the answer is a resounding yes once the initial guilt or fear of loneliness passes. You might realize you were tolerating disrespect or negativity just to avoid that silence. But once you taste the peace of distance, you recognize it as an ally.

A key strategy here is “removing without needing closure.” This is a tough lesson: many of us crave closure a big final conversation, an apology, something to neatly tie up the story. But when it comes to fake friends, you often won’t get the closure you seek. They might never fully admit how they used you or hurt you. Waiting for a sorry from someone who lacks sincerity is like waiting for a vulture to turn into a dove, don’t hold your breath. And engaging in a dramatic confrontation can sometimes backfire, giving them more ammo or satisfaction. Instead, remove yourself quietly, without fanfare, and without expecting them to validate your decision. This is not cowardice; it’s wisdom. It’s you saying, “I release you without revenge or ceremony. I simply choose peace.” The lack of closure from them is actually closure in itself – it proves they weren’t willing to make things right, and that’s all the answer you need.

Distance can also be used temporarily as a weapon. For instance, if you’re unsure about someone, distance yourself for a trial period and see what happens. This is akin to a tactical retreat: you’re not giving up the friendship entirely yet, but you’re stepping back to survey the field. Sometimes, this space even gives the other person a chance to reflect. Maybe they realize they’ve been absent or self-centered and they come back with changed behavior. (It’s rarer, but it happens.) Other times, they disappear, and you have your answer that it wasn’t real. Either way, you gain clarity.

One more element: the weapon of silence. Not every accusation or insult thrown by a fake friend (perhaps when they notice you pulling away) needs a response. Silence is powerful. When a vulture swoops and finds no meat, it just leaves. Likewise, if a fake friend tries to provoke you or guilt-trip you for distancing (“Oh, I guess you’re too good for us now” or “You’ve changed, man”), you don’t owe them a heated argument. A calm silence or a simple, non-committal response “I’ve been busy focusing on some personal things” is enough. You’re not obligated to justify your self-care. Let your silence be your shield. They can bounce off it all they want, but if you don’t engage, they cannot draw you back into the drama where they thrive.

Takeaway Tactics – Wielding Distance:

• Gradual Ghosting (Ethical Edition): Start reducing the frequency of contact with the suspected fake friend. Skip a couple of their calls or hangouts (politely). Use this time to observe: Do you feel better with less contact? Does the friend make any genuine effort when you’re not readily available?
  
  
• Social Media Snooze: Try muting or reducing social media interaction with them for a while. Sometimes seeing their constant self-centered posts or the way they interact when you’re not actively engaging can be eye-opening. It also creates a healthy boundary for your mind.
  
  
• No Announcement Needed: Remind yourself you don’t have to announce a friendship breakup like it’s a press release. Simply step back. If they confront you and you’re not ready for a full explanation, use gentle honesty: “I’ve been needing some space to work on myself.” You’re not lying,  you are working on protecting yourself.
  
  
• Focus on Fillers: While distancing from a fake friend, fill that space with positive things, hobbies, time with family, or real friends. This not only affirms why you’re distancing (because it feels good to be free), but it prevents you from dwelling on the fake friend or feeling tempted to run back out of boredom or loneliness.
  
  
• Exit without Explanations: If you decide to fully remove a fake friend from your life, do so cleanly. That might mean a direct but brief conversation (“I think we’re on different paths, and I need to step away from this friendship. I wish you well.”) or simply ending contact. Either way, do not get dragged into a debate about your reasons. You can listen calmly if they respond, but hold your line. You don’t owe a detailed defense for choosing your peace. Your well-being is reason enough.
  
  

Armor of Love: Guarding Your Heart Without Bitterness

As we remove fake friends and establish distance, there’s a danger: the war can harden our hearts if we’re not careful. After betrayal or disappointment, it’s natural to feel anger, hurt, even hate. But remember, our battle is spiritual. We want victory, not bitterness. So here is a paradoxical strategy: move with love, but keep your guard up. This means we forgive and let go of hate (so as not to poison ourselves), yet we remain wise and protect our hearts from further harm.

Think of a knight in shining armor. Inside that armor beats a courageous heart, loyal and loving to the kingdom he serves. But the armor itself is steel,  it doesn’t mean the knight inside is cruel, it means he’s protected. You too must become a knight of your own spirit. Wear the armor of experience: you’ve learned from dealing with fake friends, so you won’t be easily fooled again. That is your guard. But beneath that armor, keep your heart soft, do not let it turn to stone. The Infinite God Body, the divine in you, operates on love. If you allow hate or bitterness to consume you, the fake friends win in a different way: they rob you of your warmth and trust in good people. We won’t let that happen.

Move with love – what does this look like practically? It means when you distance yourself or cut someone off, you do it without malice. You’re not seeking to hurt them back or smear them; you’re simply choosing you. You can even silently wish them well (for your own healing). Recognize that fake friends often operate out of their own wounds and insecurity,  like spiritual vultures who know no better. That doesn’t excuse their behavior, but it humanizes them enough that you can let go of rage. You don’t have to publicly call them out or wish downfall on them. You just let them go, with love and firmness. This might be as simple as a prayer or affirmation: “I release this person from my life; I harbor no ill-will, but I also will not allow them back in to harm me. I choose love and I choose boundaries.” Love here is first a gift to yourself – you deserve a life free of toxic influence, and holding onto hatred keeps those toxins inside you.

At the same time, keep your guard up. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting the lesson. Think of it like this: you can forgive a vulture for being a vulture, but you still don’t lie back down in the open desert and expose your flesh to them. You understand its nature now. So you keep your boundaries strong. If that fake friend tries to waltz back into your life with sweet talk after a year, you can smile and wish them well, but you do not immediately take them back into your confidence. Your guard is the discernment and boundaries you’ve earned through all of the above steps. Keeping your guard means you verify trust over time; you don’t just give it freely to someone who broke it. It means you maintain that armor of self-respect and caution when new people enter your life too, not to be cynical, but to ensure you’re only letting in those who prove themselves worthy.

This balance of love and guard is crucial. Some people, when hurt by fake friends, swing to extremes, either they become totally closed off (no new friends, trust no one, bitterness) or they forgive and forget without maintaining boundaries, setting themselves up to be hurt again. The Sacred Society way, the Infinite God Body way, is the middle path: compassionate but wise, loving but protected. Remember, even God’s soldiers carry shields. Guarding your heart is a divine directive,  “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Guarding it doesn’t mean walling it off completely; it means being the watchman at the gate, deciding who and what gets entry. You are the watchman of your own soul.

Also, “moving with love” applies to how you treat yourself. Speak to yourself with love as you heal. Don’t fall into self-hate or blame because someone fooled you. Don’t say, “I was so stupid to trust them.” No,  give yourself love: “I am proud of myself for having an open heart. I did nothing wrong by believing in someone. Now I am wiser, and I still choose to have an open heart, but with wiser eyes.” By treating yourself gently, you ensure that the scars of the past do not become infecting wounds. You heal clean, with minimal scarring.

In practical daily terms, moving with love could even mean doing loving rituals to cleanse negativity: meditation, prayer, writing a letter you’ll never send to release feelings, or talking to a mentor or counselor to process the hurt. This is you ensuring that when you put that armor on again, you’re not sealing in bitterness under it. You want a pure heart behind a strong shield.

Takeaway Tactics – Loving but Guarded:

• Forgiveness Ritual: If you’re holding onto resentment, try a simple ritual. Write the person’s name on a paper, write down all the ways they hurt you. Acknowledge each hurt, then say “I release this” and burn or tear the paper (safely). As you destroy it, consciously let the anger go. This doesn’t let them off the hook for consequences, it lets you off the hook of carrying anger.
  
  
• Affirm Your Boundaries: Literally say to yourself in the mirror, “I can forgive and still choose not to let someone back in. That is my right.” Affirm that boundary. It’s possible to care about someone’s well-being but still deny them access to your life. You are not a bad person for that.
  
  
• Test of Time: Keep your guard by giving things time. If someone has broken your trust and wants back in, set a waiting period in your mind. Perhaps you only interact in group settings for a while, or you share only small pieces of your life and see if they handle those well. Only with consistent effort from them (over weeks or months) do you consider deeper trust again. This isn’t holding a grudge; it’s ensuring trust is earned.
  
  
• Armor Up Daily: Each morning, visualize putting on spiritual armor. Whatever resonates, imagine a golden light shielding you or actual medieval armor. Inside that light or armor, place your intentions: “I carry love, compassion, and wisdom.” And in the armor itself say, “Nothing negative can penetrate, and I will deflect any fake intentions that come my way today.” This visualization can empower you to move through the day lovingly yet securely.
  
  
• Stay Open to Good: Deliberately balance guardedness by seeking out positive interactions. Don’t let one fake friend shut down your willingness to make real friends. Challenge yourself to still smile at strangers, still accept sincere invitations. Each time you do, tell yourself, “I am protected and I am open.” This trains you to stay receptive to love while filtering out harm.
  
  

Building Your Tribe of Truth

War is not won alone. After clearing out the snakes and chasing off the vultures, you might feel a void, but that emptiness is actually sacred space now open to be filled with something better. This is your chance to build a tribe of truth speakers, not vibe mimics. Surround yourself with real ones,  people who are attracted to your soul, not your possessions; who echo your truth, not just your vibe. What’s the difference? A vibe mimic is someone who blends in superficially. They might like the same music, laugh at the same jokes, go to the same places, they mirror your outward lifestyle (“vibe”) but not necessarily your values. A truth speaker, on the other hand, might sometimes clash with your vibe, but they are aligned with your values and growth. They’ll tell you when you’re wrong because they want you to be right. They’ll hype you up when you’re right because they truly believe in you. They speak the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable, because their friendship is built on substance, not convenience.

To build this tribe, first, become a truth speaker yourself. Like attracts like. If you commit to living authentically, speaking truth with love, being loyal even when your friends aren’t around, measuring your own intent vs image,  you will naturally attract others on that wavelength. Your integrity will repel the fakes and draw in the reals. It might be a slower process (fewer instant “cool buddies” and more gradually forged alliances), but it’s worth it. One solid ally in spirit is better than a hundred fair-weather phonies. It’s like having one dependable sword vs a hundred wooden props. So cultivate in yourself the qualities you wish to see: loyalty, honesty, supportiveness, positivity. This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect (no human is), but it means when you fall short, you’re honest and you strive to do better. Truth speakers aren’t sinless saints; they are humble, real humans who value trust and growth.

Next, seek alignment, not just entertainment. With vibe mimics, friendships are often built on shared interests or scenes,  which club you go to, what sports team you like, etc. Those things are fine, but they are surface. To find truth speakers, pay attention to deeper alignment: Do your potential friends share similar principles? For example, when you talk about personal growth or spirituality, do they lean in with interest or scoff and change topic? Do they treat other people (waiters, strangers, their own family) with kindness? Are they generous in spirit? These clues tell you who has a golden heart. You want people who, even if they have different hobbies or backgrounds, resonate with your values of respect, honesty, and love. Some of your truth tribe might not look like your usual crowd, you might find a friend much older than you, or from a different culture, who just gets it and supports your soul. Embrace those connections. Value depth over similarity.

Another tactic: quality over quantity. In cultivating your tribe, remember it’s not about how many friends, but how true the friends. You might end up with a smaller circle after pruning the fake friends,  perhaps just a handful of close companions. That’s okay. In fact, that’s great. As the saying goes, “One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.” A tight-knit unit of genuine allies can propel you further in life than a throng of acquaintances giving empty compliments. So resist the urge to fill the space with just anyone. Wait for the right people. Loyalty in absence, as we talked about, is a key metric. Who has proven their loyalty over time? Who has been there in the dull moments, not just the exciting ones? Cherish those people and invest more in them. Loyalty is a two-way street; show up for your real friends just as they show up for you, and watch that bond strengthen into unbreakable solidarity.

Encourage a culture of truth-telling in your tribe. Make it clear (by example and by words) that you value honest feedback. For instance, tell your friend, “Hey, I count on you to tell me straight if you think I’m off track.” This invites them to be open, and when they do, thank them for it, even if the truth was hard to hear. This establishes trust that your friendship is a safe space for authenticity. It also means when they need to hear a hard truth, you’ll deliver it kindly. Over time, this mutual accountability becomes a foundation of unshakeable trust, you each know the other won’t lie or abandon when things get real. That’s a real tribe. It’s like soldiers who have been through battle together, a bond forged in fire.

Also, build each other up actively. Truth doesn’t mean only critiquing; it also means highlighting each other’s greatness sincerely. Be the friend who always claps loudly for your tribe’s wins. In a circle of real friends, there’s no envy in success because everyone wants to see each other thrive. It’s a mutual rise. If you notice even a twinge of jealousy in yourself when a friend succeeds, address it and replace it with inspiration. In your tribe, their success is your success, because you’re aligned. It’s like various limbs of one body (one Infinite God Body, if you will)  when one arm lifts a trophy, the whole body celebrates.

Finally, remain exclusive yet welcoming. This means you protect your tribe’s energy fiercely, you don’t let negative, fake influences permeate it, yet you’re not cliquish or arrogant. You welcome new members carefully when they prove to share the same truth values. Sometimes someone who was a fake friend might even learn and grow, and if they genuinely transform and prove over time that they can be truthful and loyal, your tribe might eventually accept them. The point is not to create an elitist club; it’s to create a sanctuary of authenticity. You become known for being real and loving, and that reputation draws more real and loving people.

Takeaway Tactics – Growing Your Tribe:

• List Your Core Values: Write down the top 3-5 values you want in a friendship (e.g., honesty, loyalty, positivity, growth, faith). Use this as your compass when meeting new people or evaluating current friends. Does a person exhibit these values consistently? If yes, invest more in that relationship.
  
  
• Initiate Deeper Talks: With acquaintances who you sense could be true friends, steer conversations deeper. Ask meaningful questions (“What’s something you’re passionate about lately?” or “How do you handle tough times?”). Sharing a bit vulnerably yourself can encourage them to do the same. If they respond in kind, you might have a real one; if they shy away or mock depth, they might not be tribe material.
  
  
• One Good Friend at a Time: Aim to strengthen one promising friendship at a time. Invite that coworker who always has a positive vibe to coffee. Or spend more one-on-one time with that old friend who proved loyal. Quality time and shared experiences foster closeness. Don’t spread yourself too thin; focus on depth.
  
  
• Set “No Gossip” Rule: In your budding tribe, silently set a standard: you don’t gossip maliciously, and you shut down gossip about each other. If you have an issue, you address it directly or not at all. By doing this, you create a culture of having each other’s backs. People will feel safe that their name is protected within this circle.
  
  
• Celebrate and Collaborate: Do things that uplift each other. Start a monthly tradition like a “success circle” where each friend shares a win and everyone cheers and gives encouragement. Or have a group chat that isn’t about complaining, but sharing motivating insights or goals. Make your tribe a source of empowerment. Real friends thrive in an environment where truth and positive vibes flow together.
  
  

Conclusion: The War Won with Wisdom and Love

In this first part of The Art of War series, we’ve exposed the fake friends, the human vultures, and armed ourselves with strategies to deal with them. You’ve learned to define the enemy, to trust your internal radar, to deploy distance as a weapon, to guard your heart without closing it, and to rally a crew of allies who stand for truth. This is how we win the quiet battles of friendship and loyalty in life. Not with swords or screams, but with clarity, courage, and self-respect.

Remember, victory is not having no fake friends show up they will, inevitably, circle into every life now and then. Victory is recognizing them before they tear at your soul, and removing their power over you. Victory is when you no longer fear the loneliness or backlash that might come from cutting off a fake friend, because you trust the Infinite God Body in you, the divine fullness that ensures you are never truly alone and never without support. As you clean house of the pretenders, you make spiritual room for better blessings: genuine connections, inner peace, and growth.

Think back to the definitions we began with: War originally meant confusion . Fake friends bring war into your life by way of confusion, making you question who’s real, draining your clarity with their deception. But art is skill and craft, and you are now an artist of this war, skillfully navigating it with discernment and grace. You are turning a confusing battle into a masterful strategy for a healthier life. You are the general of your inner kingdom, and you’ve just devised a brilliant campaign to protect it.

As you step away from this sermon and into your life, carry these lessons with a rhythmic heartbeat: Energy over words. Truth over façade. Distance over disrespect. Love over hate. Loyalty over clout. Let them drum in your mind like a sacred war chant. You are not a victim of others’ games; you are a warrior of truth and a builder of real bonds.

May your soul’s radar always guide you through the fog. May your shield of distance keep you safe from harm. May your heart remain pure, beating in love under the armor of wisdom. And may your tribe of truth surround you like an impenetrable circle, each member a watchman for each other’s highest good.

The Art of War against fake friends is ultimately an art of self-love and self-respect. By valuing yourself, you naturally repel those who don’t truly value you. By shining your authentic light, you reveal the scavengers for what they are and attract fellow light-bearers. This is strategic wisdom with a heartbeat of compassion, the very essence of the Infinite God Body’s voice.

Move forward with power. In the coming days, practice these tactics. You will find your life lighter, your circle tighter, and your spirit brighter. This is how we turn the wounds from fake friends into weapons of wisdom. This is how we win Part 1 of our Art of War. The victory is already yours, claimed in the name of truth, love, and sacred strength.

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