Trust of the Wicked is in Man
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The concept of the wicked placing their trust in man rather than in God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This misplaced trust is often depicted as a hallmark of folly and a departure from divine wisdom. The Scriptures consistently contrast the futility of relying on human strength and wisdom with the security and blessing found in trusting the Lord.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 17:5-6 : "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.'" This passage starkly warns against the dangers of relying on human strength and wisdom. The imagery of a shrub in the desert underscores the barrenness and desolation that result from such misplaced trust.

2. Psalm 146:3-4 : "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish." Here, the psalmist emphasizes the transient nature of human life and the futility of depending on human leaders for ultimate security and salvation.

3. Isaiah 31:1 : "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the great strength of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." This verse highlights the folly of seeking security in military might and alliances rather than in God. The historical context refers to Israel's temptation to seek help from Egypt rather than relying on divine protection.

4. Proverbs 28:26 : "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe." This proverb succinctly contrasts self-reliance with the wisdom of trusting in God. The fool's trust in his own understanding is portrayed as dangerous and misguided.

Theological Implications:

The trust of the wicked in man is often associated with pride and self-sufficiency, which are antithetical to the humility and dependence on God that Scripture advocates. This misplaced trust is seen as a rejection of God's sovereignty and a failure to acknowledge His ultimate authority and power.

Historical Context:

Throughout Israel's history, there were numerous instances where the people and their leaders placed their trust in foreign alliances, military strength, or their own wisdom rather than in God. These decisions often led to disastrous consequences, serving as a testament to the truth of the biblical warnings against such trust.

Practical Application:

For believers, these passages serve as a reminder to evaluate where their trust lies. In a world that often values self-reliance and human achievement, Christians are called to place their confidence in God, recognizing that true security and wisdom come from Him alone. The Scriptures encourage a posture of humility and dependence on the Lord, who is faithful and unchanging.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Judges 9:26
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 118:8,9
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That He who Has Attained to Trust, Having Put Off the Former Man ...
... That he who has attained to trust, having put off the ... when He hath come near unto
you, let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/11 that he who has.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... so honour is not seemly for a fool." It is as unseemly, prodigious, and destructive
a thing, to give honours, promotions, and trust to a wicked man, as snow ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
... For one who was a wicked man, a man who made a ... is reading the funeral service, and
is burying the man "in sure ... Trust to a bubble, and hope to fly to the stars ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the wicked mans life funeral.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die ... Nevertheless, if thou warn the
wicked of his way ... perish unless God's ministers are faithful to their trust. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

Blessed Prosperity Meditations on the First Psalm.
... Himself strong in behalf of those who put their trust in Him ... Christians does far
more harm than that of the openly wicked. ... Further, the truly blessed man". ...
/.../taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed prosperity meditations on the.htm

A Prayer of Trust
... I trust in thee, O God, let me not be ashamed; Let not my ... let none who hope in thee
be ashamed; But let wicked traitors be ... Who is the man that reveres the Lord ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prayer of trust.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... is certain that we are the most wicked of men ... consider whether, when compelled to
deny, a man's denial may ... the charges, they would rather take on trust, are all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

True Christianity Defended
... warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die ... 3. Nor ought any man, therefore,
to be accounted our ... received those advantages of which I trust I shall ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 134 true christianity defended.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... the other hand, a man is covetous and worries because he does not trust God ... As Christ
teaches, Luke vi, even a wicked man does that to another who is his friend ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not steal.htm

The Answer to Trust
... Fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.' The knowledge ... upon the smooth, treacherous
ice of this wicked world, it ... name.' That is more than lifting a man up above ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the answer to trust.htm

Resources
What does it mean to trust in Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

How can I learn to trust in the faithfulness of God? | GotQuestions.org

How could Job say, “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him”? | GotQuestions.org

Trust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Trust

Trust in Marriage

Trust of Saints Is for Ever

Trust of Saints Is in Christ

Trust of Saints Is in God

Trust of Saints Is in the Mercy of God

Trust of Saints Is in the Word of God

Trust of Saints Is: Despised by the Wicked

Trust of Saints Is: Fixed

Trust of Saints Is: Grounded on the Covenant

Trust of Saints Is: Not in Carnal Weapons

Trust of Saints Is: Not in the Flesh

Trust of Saints Is: Not in Themselves

Trust of Saints Is: Strong in the Prospect of Death

Trust of Saints Is: Through Christ

Trust of Saints Is: Unalterable

Trust of Saints: David

Trust of Saints: Hezekiah

Trust of Saints: Jehoshaphat

Trust of Saints: Paul

Trust of Saints: Shadrach

Trust of Saints--Illustrated

Trust of the Wicked is in Earthly Alliances

Trust of the Wicked is in Falsehood

Trust of the Wicked is in Idols

Trust of the Wicked is in Man

Trust of the Wicked is in Their own Heart

Trust of the Wicked is in Their own Righteousness

Trust of the Wicked is in Vanity

Trust of the Wicked is in Wealth

Trust of the Wicked is not in God

Trust of the Wicked is Vain and Delusive

Trust of the Wicked: Benhadad

Trust of the Wicked: Goliath

Trust of the Wicked: Israelites

Trust of the Wicked: Sennacherib

Trust of the Wicked: Shall be Destroyed

Trust of the Wicked: Shall Make Them Ashamed

Trust of the Wicked--Illustrated

Trust: Blessedness of Placing, in God

Trust: Encouragements to Former Deliverances

Trust: Encouragements to The Care of God for Us

Trust: Encouragements to The Everlasting Strength of God

Trust: Encouragements to The Goodness of God

Trust: Encouragements to The Loving-Kindness of God

Trust: Encouragements to The Rich Bounty of God

Trust: Exhortations To

Trust: God is the True Object of

Trust: Keeps From: Desolation

Trust: Keeps From: Fear

Trust: Keeps From: Sliding

Trust: Leads to Being Compassed With Mercy

Trust: Leads to Deliverance from Enemies

Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of all Temporal and Spiritual Blessings

Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of Happiness

Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of Perfect Peace

Trust: Leads to Fulfilment of all Holy Desires

Trust: Leads to Prosperity

Trust: Leads to Rejoicing in God

Trust: Leads to Safety in Times of Danger

Trust: Leads to Stability

Trust: Saints Plead, in Prayer

Trust: should be from Youth Up

Trust: should be With the Whole Heart

Trust: The Fear of God Leads To

Trust: The Lord Knows Those Who Have

Trust: To be Accompanied by Doing Good

Trust: Woe and Curse of False

Related Terms

Lean (22 Occurrences)

Rely (31 Occurrences)

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Trusts (35 Occurrences)

Depend (12 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Faith (769 Occurrences)

Leans (7 Occurrences)

Credit (39 Occurrences)

Trusting (45 Occurrences)

Pierce (30 Occurrences)

Bruised (36 Occurrences)

Relying (4 Occurrences)

Depending (8 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Commission (11 Occurrences)

Shortly (21 Occurrences)

Spider (3 Occurrences)

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)

Sentence (53 Occurrences)

Office (64 Occurrences)

Hope (291 Occurrences)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Confidence (103 Occurrences)

Ashamed (131 Occurrences)

Reed (41 Occurrences)

Entrusted (55 Occurrences)

Use (620 Occurrences)

Unfailing (29 Occurrences)

Outward (17 Occurrences)

Official (45 Occurrences)

Judgement (68 Occurrences)

Wounds (57 Occurrences)

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

Shamed (91 Occurrences)

Trow (1 Occurrence)

Trustful (1 Occurrence)

Traitor (4 Occurrences)

Trustest (8 Occurrences)

Reliance (6 Occurrences)

Resting (117 Occurrences)

Rebellest (2 Occurrences)

Responsibility (17 Occurrences)

Reposes (3 Occurrences)

Enjoin (15 Occurrences)

Discharge (30 Occurrences)

Protection (19 Occurrences)

Puttest (18 Occurrences)

Porters (34 Occurrences)

Bail (1 Occurrence)

Betray (29 Occurrences)

Breach (55 Occurrences)

Bulwark (29 Occurrences)

Basing (7 Occurrences)

Charge (379 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Splintered (4 Occurrences)

Savest (7 Occurrences)

Strategy (3 Occurrences)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

God's (602 Occurrences)

God (45911 Occurrences)

Robbery (18 Occurrences)

Faithful (136 Occurrences)

Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Name (10157 Occurrences)

Sayest (66 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Vain (141 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Protect (32 Occurrences)

Recognize (52 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Trust of the Wicked is in Idols
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