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Should We Trust People? Thoughts and Biblical Evidence

The Bible offers nuanced guidance regarding trust in people, balancing the wisdom of cautious discernment with the commandment to love and serve others.
  • Wisdom and Discernment: The Bible advises using wisdom and discernment in whom we trust. Proverbs 14:15 says, "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps." This suggests that while it's not wrong to trust, one should be thoughtful and discerning about it. The use of the word steps implies an observational component to trust. We should walk but pay attention to the outcomes of our actions and their impact on others.
  • Trust in God Above All: The Bible strongly emphasizes trusting God above humans. Psalm 118:8-9 states, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." This highlights the idea that ultimate trust should be placed in God, not in fallible people. The misunderstanding here is not that we shouldn’t trust others but trust God first.
  • Human Fallibility: The Bible acknowledges human fallibility and the potential for betrayal. Jeremiah 17:5 says, "Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord." This verse warns about the dangers of placing too much trust in humans over God. I think the key here is when our trust in others causes us to distrust God that’s missing the mark. “Makes flesh his strength” doesn’t mean we shouldn’t trust others, but we shouldn’t trust our humanness, which will always let us down.
  • Loving and Serving Others: Despite acknowledging human fallibility, the Bible also commands Christians to love their neighbors (Mark 12:31) and to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). This implies a level of trust in relationships, as loving and serving others often requires giving of oneself and relying on others to some degree. I think this continues to clarify a hierarchy of trust and not a trust-distrust relationship with the world around us.
  • Building Trustworthy Character: The Bible also speaks to being a trustworthy person. Proverbs 11:13 says, "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." Also, we should always keep our word even when it is inconvenient. Psalms 15:4b says "Who keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind." Christians are encouraged to be reliable and trustworthy in their dealings with others.
  • Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Bible encourages forgiveness and reconciliation, which are often necessary for rebuilding trust. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This suggests that while trust may be broken, there is a path to restoration through forgiveness. So the goal is even when someone breaks our trust, our goal is to trust again.
  • This is key: The concept that understanding and trust are interconnected, with distrust stemming from misunderstanding, can be implicitly aligned with some biblical principles.
    • Trust in God Leads to Understanding: Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
    • Faith as a Foundation for Understanding: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
    • Does distrust come from misunderstanding? This could be an entire study. It can be implicitly surmised from several passages, such as James 3:16, which states, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." This suggests that negative emotions and distrust can stem from misunderstanding God's purpose and departing from His guidance. (Trusting things and people to act in their nature: lions, cats, dogs, etc. Trust doesn’t mean judgment or lack thereof. Trust is the gateway to understanding and the acceptance that God is in control.)
    • Understanding, linked to trust in God, is a gift from seeking divine wisdom. Proverbs 2:6-7 says, "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright."
    • Ultimately the Bible calls us to understand one another. Ephesians 4:2-3 encourages believers to "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." This suggests that understanding and patience with one another, grounded in love, are crucial for maintaining trust and unity within the Christian community.
Concerning the last argument, while the Bible might not directly argue that understanding comes first from trusting and that distrust is a result of misunderstanding, it does emphasize the importance of trust in God, the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, and the role of faith in navigating relationships. The biblical narrative supports that a life grounded in trust and faith can lead to greater understanding and harmony.

While humans are inherently fallible and should not be trusted blindly, living in a community and loving and serving one another is important. Trust in God is paramount; wisdom and discernment should guide interpersonal relationships. Being trustworthy and forgiving are also crucial aspects of biblical teaching on trust.

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