Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8719 distrust

Failure to trust another, or a tendency to be suspicious of others' abilities or intentions. Though sometimes justifiable towards other human beings, such an attitude is never acceptable towards God.

Distrust between human beings

Genesis 50:15-17 Joseph's brothers distrusted him because they could not believe he had forgiven them. See also Genesis 32:6-8 Jacob distrusted Esau because he thought he was seeking revenge; Judges 11:19-20 Sihon distrusted Israel because he suspected a trick; Acts 15:37-38 Paul distrusted John Mark, having been let down by him.

Distrust of God

Israel distrusted God

Zephaniah 3:2 See also Deuteronomy 1:32-33; Deuteronomy 9:23-24 Because that generation distrusted God, they failed to enter the promised land; Psalm 78:7,22 Israel distrusted God in spite of the miracles he had done for her.

Israel distrusted God as a result of her idolatry:

2 Kings 17:14-15; Jeremiah 13:25

Other examples

Distrust in God involves failure to trust God's promises and placing trust in other things:

Jeremiah 13:25; Ezekiel 33:13; Malachi 3:6-10; Matthew 19:22 pp Mark 10:22

Distrust by God

Job 4:18 See also Job 15:15; John 2:24

Distrust is sometimes justified

Psalm 118:8 See also Job 39:12; Psalm 5:9; Psalm 44:6; Psalm 146:3; Jeremiah 7:4; Jeremiah 9:4; Jeremiah 12:6; Micah 7:5; Habakkuk 2:18

See also

1415  miracles
5020  human nature
7257  promised land
8020  faith
8030  trust
8354  trustworthiness
8721  doubt
8742  faithlessness
8768  idolatry
8830  suspicion
8834  unbelief