The Bible has much to say about trusting in others. In the book of Proverbs, the Bible offers sound and godly counsel about trusting in others, reminding us that “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Similarly, Proverbs 3:29 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mere mortals, in whom there is no help”. We must put our trust in God, who never changes and will not disappoint us.
The Bible speaks of trust as something we must carefully guard, reminding us that “There is no one on earth who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13). We should expect people to dissemble, yet still be gracious. Proverbs 25:19 says, “Trust in your friends, and in their trustworthiness; but do not put too much trust in them, or you will be disappointed”. When we trust in others, we should not put too much trust in them, or we will be disappointed.
The Bible also reminds us that trust is something that should be earned. Proverbs 14:20 says “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be kept safe”. We should strive to build relationships based on mutual respect and trust with others, and make sure that that trust is based on something other than just good intentions.
Through a biblical lens, we can understand trust more holistically. In the Bible, we can see a special relationship between God and humanity. This relationship is based on mutual trust, respect, and honor. The Bible tells us to trust God, asking Him to direct our paths and providing a foundation of trust that should form our relationships with others.
God expects us to cultivate relationships based on trust and integrity, and to show respect and kindness to those we place our trust in. He also reminds us to ask for wisdom when we need it and to seek His counsel when making decisions about whom we should trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”.
We learn from the Bible that trust is an important factor in our relationships with others. The Bible warns us against trusting overly in people or things that are ever-changing, and reminds us to trust in God and to rely on His counsel and wisdom. Trust, however, need not be blind, but should be based on knowledge and understanding of whom we are trusting.
Honesty
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of honesty in relationships of trust. Proverbs 19:22 says, “What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar”. Being honest means more than not telling lies; it also involves being open, transparent, and vulnerable with one another. We cannot expect that relationships of trust to form until we are willing to be honest with ourselves and with others.
The Bible also encourages us to look at others with grace and compassion, seeing the best in them and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Matthew 7:12 says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. We should always remember that we are all bound together in a common humanity and treat each other with kindness and respect.
At the same time, we must be wary of deception. In Proverbs 14:15 it says, “The naive person believes anything, but the shrewd person carefully considers his steps”. If a person is acting in bad faith, we should be aware of that and not be deceived by their deception.
In the Bible, God is portrayed as someone who loves and cares for us – a God who can be trusted. He is described in Hebrews 13:5 as someone “who never changes, who is always true and faithful”. We can learn from God’s patient and steady love for us that trust is something that must be earned, carefully guarded, and based on honesty.
Discernment
The Bible also speaks of the need to use discernment when trusting others. It encourages us to use wisdom in making decisions about whom we place our trust in, as in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice”.
God has gifted us with the ability to reason and understand the world around us. He has given us the capacity to gain knowledge and insight into situations, and to make wise judgments based on this knowledge. We should use this wisdom to think through our decisions about whom to trust and also to recognize when a situation is beyond our ability to make prudent decisions.
Discernment is also about recognizing the signs of a person’s character or actions that indicate whether or not we can trust them. We may see someone as reputable or trustworthy, but our discernment should tell us whether we can rely on them or not. When in doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution and not put our trust in those who do not seem dependable.
Ultimately, discernment is about trusting God first and foremost. He is the ultimate source of wisdom and understanding, and when we trust in Him, we can trust in the guidance He will provide us. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and not to lean on our own understanding. When we trust in God, we can trust our discernment and make wise and safe decisions.
Loyalty
The Bible also underscores the importance of loyalty in our trust relationships. Proverbs 20:6 say “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?”. Trust is like a two-way street – we must not only be loyal to others, but expect others to be loyal to us. It is important to take our time in building relationships of trust with others and make sure that loyalty is part of the foundation.
Loyalty is essential in any relationships of trust, especially with those who are closest to us. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”. We can look to the example of Jonathan and David, who showed loyalty and faithfulness to one another despite difficult circumstances. When we choose to be loyal to those we trust, we demonstrate selflessness and humility and our trustworthiness is affirmed.
When our trust relationships are rooted in loyalty and honesty, they will endure and flourish. Proverbs 11:13 says,“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”. We should strive to build relationships of trust with genuine and openhearted people who can support and encourage us, understanding the value and importance of loyalty.
Self-Trust
Finally, the Bible cautions us not to trust too much in ourselves. Our own pride and arrogance can lead us astray and make us believe that we are infallible. In Proverbs 28:26 it says, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe”. We must be careful not to place too much trust in our own understanding, but to turn to God and seek His wisdom.
We should remember that it is impossible to go through life alone and that we need God’s guidance and help. We should never be so hard on ourselves when things do not turn out the way we had hoped, but rather be patient and forgiving, understanding that trusting in ourselves is never a substitute for trusting in God.
In the Bible, we can gain insight into how we should approach relationships of trust with wisdom and discernment. We are encouraged to cultivate trust with honesty and loyalty; to rely on God’s word and wisdom; and to trust in ourselves only in moderation. Armed with the scriptural understanding of trust, we can build relationships that are founded on mutual respect and understanding and stand the test of time.