What does the Bible say about trusting people?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that people are imperfect and must not be trusted in the place of God, yet believers are called to love others wisely, faithfully, and with appropriate care. Psalm 118:8 and Jeremiah 17:5-12 warn against resting our confidence in human strength, while Proverbs 3:5-12 calls us to trust the Lord with all our heart and submit to his wise discipline. Micah 7:5-6 recognizes that even close relationships can disappoint in a fallen world. Still, 1 Corinthians 13:7 commends charitable love, and Romans 12:19 directs us to leave vengeance to God. Christians should provide for their households, practice discernment, forgive injuries, and ground their security in the faithful God alone.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Micah 7:5-6 9 votes
[5] Don't trust in a neighbor. Don't put confidence in a friend. With the woman lying in your embrace, Be careful of the words of your mouth! [6] For the son dishonors the father, The daughter rises up against her mother, The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man's enemies are the men of his own house.
- Psalms 118:8 8 votes
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, Than to put confidence in man.
- Proverbs 3:5 7 votes
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.
- Jeremiah 17:5-12 6 votes
[5] Thus says Yahweh: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh. [6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. [7] Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? [10] I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. [11] As the partridge that sits on [eggs] which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool. [12] A glorious throne, [set] on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.
- Proverbs 3:5-12 4 votes
[5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths. [7] Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones. [9] Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. [11] My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof: [12] For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
- Romans 12:19 3 votes
Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 3 votes
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- Philippians 4:13 2 votes
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- Isaiah 2:22 2 votes
Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?
- 1 Timothy 5:8 2 votes
But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
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