In the context of the Bible, the concept of being unreliable is often associated with a lack of faithfulness, trustworthiness, or steadfastness. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the consequences and moral implications of unreliability, both in human relationships and in one's relationship with God.

Old Testament References

1. Proverbs 25:19 · "Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble." This proverb vividly illustrates the pain and disappointment that come from relying on someone who is unreliable. Just as a broken tooth or a dislocated foot fails to function properly, so does a person who cannot be trusted in times of need.

2. Judges 16:15-17 · The account of Samson and Delilah serves as a cautionary tale about misplaced trust. Delilah's repeated betrayal of Samson's confidence ultimately leads to his downfall. This narrative underscores the dangers of relying on those who are not steadfast in their loyalty.

3. Isaiah 30:1-3 · "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace." Here, the unreliability of seeking security in worldly powers rather than in God is condemned, highlighting the futility and shame that result from such actions.

New Testament References

1. James 1:6-8 · "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This passage warns against the instability and unreliability of a doubting heart, emphasizing the importance of faith and single-mindedness in one's relationship with God.

2. Matthew 26:33-35 · Peter's declaration of unwavering loyalty to Jesus, followed by his subsequent denial, serves as a poignant example of human unreliability. Despite his intentions, Peter's actions reveal the frailty of human resolve without divine strength.

3. 2 Timothy 4:10 · "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." The apostle Paul laments the unreliability of Demas, who abandoned his mission due to worldly attractions. This highlights the conflict between spiritual commitments and worldly desires.

Theological Implications

The Bible consistently portrays God as the epitome of reliability and faithfulness. In contrast, human unreliability is often depicted as a result of sin, weakness, and a lack of faith. The Scriptures call believers to emulate God's faithfulness in their own lives, striving to be reliable in their commitments to God and others.

Practical Applications

1. Trust in God · Believers are encouraged to place their trust in God, who is unfailingly reliable, rather than in fallible human beings or worldly systems.

2. Cultivating Faithfulness · Christians are called to develop the fruit of the Spirit, including faithfulness, as a reflection of God's character in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

3. Accountability and Integrity · The Bible urges believers to be people of their word, maintaining integrity and reliability in all their dealings (Matthew 5:37).

In summary, the theme of unreliability in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and trustworthiness, both in our relationship with God and with one another.(a.) Not reliable; untrustworthy. See Reliable.3808. lo -- not
... 1), undone* (1), ungodly* (1), unjustly* (1), unknown* (1), unless (1), unless*
(7), unproductive* (1), unpunished* (1), unreliable* (1), unsearchable* (1 ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

539. aman -- to confirm, support
... put your trust (2), puts...trust (2), reared (1), reliable (1), stand still (1),
sure (4), trust (4), trusted (1), trustworthy* (1), unreliable* (1), verified ...
/hebrew/539.htm - 6k

Origen's Zeal and his Elevation to the Presbyterate.
... best source we have is Eusebius'Church History; but for the second group, from
Pontianus to Liberius, the notices of the History are very unreliable, while the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii origens zeal and his.htm

Teacher or Saviour?
... He adds that this faith was regarded by Christ as unreliable; and he goes on to
explain that our Lord exercised great reserve in His dealings with the persons ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/teacher or saviour.htm

Eusebius as a Historian. The Merits and Defects of his History.
... In the third place, we can hardly fail to be impressed by the wisdom with which
Eusebius discriminated between reliable and unreliable sources. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 3 eusebius as a.htm

Ignatius and his Epistles.
... belong to the fourth and subsequent centuries, are quite contradictory in their
statements, and have been conclusively proved to be utterly unreliable and to ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxvi ignatius and his epistles.htm

Plus Ultra Vs. Ne Plus Ultra.
... ne plus ultra. Modern science has demonstrated that of all unreliable things,
ancient science is the most unreliable. We should, therefore ...
/.../iii plus ultra vs ne plus.htm

Moreover, it is a Good Thing to Use the Tongue Sparingly...
... Moreover, see to it, that a promise made with a vow be made good in fact.
This, too, is proper to fools, that they are unreliable. ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter v moreover it is.htm

On Purity of Heart which is to be Sought Above all Things
... gathered within yourself in one place, and by this means to remain always joined
to things divine and to God in your mind, to abandon the unreliable things of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 5 on purity of.htm

Introduction
... Apart from a citation in a third century writer, Methodius of Tyre, [828] and a
misleading reference in a most unreliable historian of the fifth century ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 7.htm

James i. 6-8
... as one who is at variance with himself, one in whom there exist, as it were, two
souls; [3] who is unstable in all his ways, fickle-minded, unreliable in all ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 8-jun.htm

The British Bayonet.
... It set us a thinking the other day"Here is something that no one doubted, has proved
unreliable; and the thought flashed across our mind: Is there not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xliv the british bayonet.htm

Unreliable (2 Occurrences)
... See Reliable. Multi-Version Concordance Unreliable (2 Occurrences). Psalms
78:57 but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. ...
/u/unreliable.htm - 7k

Unrelenting (2 Occurrences)

/u/unrelenting.htm - 7k

Unremoved (1 Occurrence)

/u/unremoved.htm - 6k

Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... They build up stories and make them plausible by an outward semblance to truth,
while, in fact, they are flimsy, unreliable prophecies, resembling the walls ...
/u/untempered.htm - 9k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... 1. Original Roman State: The traditional chronology for the earliest period of Roman
history is altogether unreliable, partly because the Gauls, in ravaging ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... He was by nature a despot; eccentric and unreliable; sometimes a spendthrift in
his liberality, fraternizing in an affected manner with those of lower station ...
/d/desolation.htm - 46k

Syriac (2 Occurrences)
... That the tr of the Old Testament and New Testament was made in connection with the
visit of Thaddaeus to Abgar at Edessa belongs also to unreliable tradition. ...
/s/syriac.htm - 26k

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)
... About 2,700 words in all of the original are omitted. These omissions, etc., are
capricious and arbitrary, and render the version unreliable. Int. ...
/j/jeremiah.htm - 75k

Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... In the Northwest province, in which are situated the two sacred cities of Mecca
and Medina, the rainfall is unreliable and takes the form of heavy thunder ...
/a/arabia.htm - 43k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... He is now no more the unreliable, changeful, self-confident man, ever swaying between
rash courage and weak timidity, but the stead-fast, trusted guide and ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

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