Distrust, in a biblical context, refers to a lack of faith or confidence in God, His promises, or His people. It is often depicted as a spiritual struggle that can lead to disobedience and separation from God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the consequences of distrust and the importance of faith.

Old Testament Examples

1. Adam and Eve: The first instance of distrust is seen in the Garden of Eden. Eve's decision to eat the forbidden fruit, influenced by the serpent's deception, reflects a lack of trust in God's command and His goodness (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of distrust led to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world.

2. Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently exhibited distrust during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance and provision, they doubted His ability to care for them. In Numbers 14:11, the Lord expresses His frustration: "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?"

3. King Saul: Saul's reign as the first king of Israel is marked by moments of distrust in God's plan. His unauthorized sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 demonstrates his impatience and lack of faith in God's timing, ultimately leading to his rejection as king.

New Testament Teachings

1. Peter Walking on Water: In Matthew 14:28-31, Peter's initial faith in stepping out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus quickly turns to fear and doubt. When he begins to sink, Jesus questions him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This incident highlights the importance of maintaining trust in Jesus, even amidst life's storms.

2. Thomas the Apostle: Known as "Doubting Thomas," he initially refused to believe in the resurrection of Jesus without physical proof (John 20:24-29). Jesus' response to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," underscores the virtue of faith over skepticism.

3. Faith and Trust in God: The New Testament frequently emphasizes the necessity of trust in God. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Trust is foundational to a believer's relationship with God.

Consequences of Distrust

Distrust can lead to spiritual stagnation, missed blessings, and a weakened relationship with God. James 1:6-8 warns against doubting, describing a doubter as "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, as they are "double-minded and unstable in all they do."

Encouragement to Trust

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate trust in God through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "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." Trusting God involves surrendering one's own understanding and embracing His divine wisdom and guidance.

Conclusion

While distrust is a common human struggle, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings to guide believers towards a life of faith and trust in God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of Scripture, Christians are called to overcome doubt and place their confidence in the Lord.1. (v. t.) To feel lack of confidence in; not to confide in or rely upon; to deem of questionable sufficiency or reality; to doubt; to be suspicious of; to mistrust.

2. (n.) Doubt of sufficiency, reality, or sincerity; want of confidence, faith, or reliance; as, distrust of one's power, authority, will, purposes, schemes, etc.

3. (n.) Suspicion of evil designs.

4. (n.) State of being suspected; loss of trust.

570. apistia -- unbelief
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apistia Phonetic Spelling: (ap-is-tee'-
ah) Short Definition: unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust Definition: unbelief ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/570.htm - 7k

Self-Distrust.
... 454. " Self-Distrust. 454. 7s. M. Newton. Self-Distrust. 1 'T is a point I long
to know," Oft it causes anxious thought," Do I love the Lord, or no? ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/454 self-distrust.htm

Distrust and Anarchy. July 24.
... Distrust and Anarchy. July 24. Over the greater part of the so-called civilised
world is spreading a deep distrust, a deep irreverence ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /distrust and anarchy july 24.htm

Distrust of Self.
... CHAPTER III. THE TRIALS CONNECTED WITH THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION
IV."Distrust of Self. The fourth trial of souls in the ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section iv distrust of self.htm

And Lest any one Should Suppose that We, through Distrust in Our ...
... Book I. 25 And lest any one should suppose that we, through distrust in
our reply? And lest any one should suppose that we, through ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/25 and lest any one.htm

The Word of the Truth of the Gospel
... He will not be behind you in willingness. It is of the utmost moment that you should
remember this; lest you should grieve and repel him by your distrust. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vii the word of.htm

Asa's Prayer
... The world says, 'Self-reliance is the conquering virtue'; Jesus says to us,
'Self-distrust is the condition of all victory.' And that does not mean any mere ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/asas prayer.htm

A Strange Battle
... For these two, distrust of self and glad confidence in God, are not opposites,
as naked distrust and trust are, but are complementary. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a strange battle.htm

The victory
... But again the temptation is prefaced with the insinuation of distrust, "If Thou
be the Son of God." Christ was tempted to answer the "if;" but He refrained ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 13 the victory.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... Though often wounded and bleeding and exhausted from the roughness and length of
their journeys, they have no distrust about the future, no fear for the morrow ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

'Is it I?'
... I take the first form of the question as an example of that wholesome self-distrust
which a glimpse into the slumbering possibilities of evil in our hearts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/is it i.htm

Distrust (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Doubt of sufficiency, reality, or sincerity; want of confidence, faith,
or reliance; as, distrust of one's power, authority, will, purposes, schemes ...
/d/distrust.htm - 7k

Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... King James Version) represents two Greek words, apeitheia, "disobedience" (only
in Romans 11:30, 32 Hebrews 4:6, 11), and apistia, "distrust," the antithesis ...
/u/unbelief.htm - 12k

Suspect (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Suspicious; inspiring distrust. ... 7. (vt) To hold to be uncertain; to doubt;
to mistrust; to distrust; as, to suspect the truth of a story. ...
/s/suspect.htm - 7k

Disturb (12 Occurrences)

/d/disturb.htm - 10k

Districts (22 Occurrences)

/d/districts.htm - 13k

Obey (219 Occurrences)
... On the other hand misfortune, calamity, distress and famine are due to their
disobedience and distrust of Yahweh. See DISOBEDIENCE. ...
/o/obey.htm - 39k

Festus (14 Occurrences)
... consent (Acts 25:12). But the manner of his consent indicated his pique
at the apparent distrust shown by Paul. By the words "unto ...
/f/festus.htm - 15k

Free (454 Occurrences)
... guiltless; innocent. 7. (superl.) Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved;
ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative. 8. (superl ...
/f/free.htm - 38k

Tempt (18 Occurrences)
... Thus, God is "tempted" by Israel's distrust of Him, as if the people were actually
challenging Him to show His perfections (Exodus 17:2 Psalm 78:18 Acts 15:10 ...
/t/tempt.htm - 15k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Thus, God is "tempted" by Israel's distrust of Him, as if the people were actually
challenging Him to show His perfections (Exodus 17:2 Psalm 78:18 Acts 15:10 ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

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