Self-sufficient

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord’.”

Jeremiah 17:5

The Danger of Trusting in Yourself

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

This verse is often interpreted as a warning not to trust those around us, but the original text goes further. It reveals the danger of relying solely on human strength—including, and especially, our own. When we make our flesh and natural abilities our main support, we risk turning our hearts away from the Lord. Total self-trust is a subtle form of pride and self-sufficiency that distances us from dependence on God.

Trusting only in what we feel or think can lead us down paths of deception and disappointment. The wisdom that comes solely from ourselves is limited, but the wisdom that comes from above is pure, peace-loving, and full of good fruit (James 3:17). That’s why God calls us to abandon the idea of spiritual independence and recognize that without Him, we can do nothing.

Unrestrained self-confidence leads to isolation, anxiety, and frustration, because we try to control everything by our own strength—but we don’t have that power. True security is found in surrendering control to the Lord. He is our firm Rock, the One who does not change, even when everything around us seems uncertain. When we stop trusting in ourselves and begin to depend on divine grace, we find rest and direction.

The Trust That Pleases God

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”

Jeremiah 17:7

Unlike the one who relies on their own flesh, the person who puts their trust in the Lord is called blessed. They will be like a tree planted by the water, bearing fruit in season and not fearing when heat comes (Jeremiah 17:8). This shows us that trusting in God doesn’t exempt us from challenges, but it sustains us through them.

True faith lives in the heart that waits and trusts in God, even without fully understanding the path.

To trust God is to surrender to His will, believe His Word, and wait on His action. A Christian’s strength doesn’t come from self, but from the Spirit who dwells within. When we are weak, in Him we are strong, because God’s grace is made perfect in our weakness. It is in that place of dependence that God’s power becomes most visible.

Moreover, trusting in God enables us to trust others in a healthy way. In Christ, we are called to walk in fellowship and love. Scripture exhorts us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), which is only possible when mutual trust exists. This isn’t about idolizing others or relying completely on someone else’s ability, but about recognizing that God works through the body (the Church) and wants to teach, strengthen, and encourage us through those around us.

Trusting One Another While Relying on Him

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:10

Trusting one another is a reflection of the love and unity that the Holy Spirit produces in the body of Christ. God created us to live in community, and trust is a fundamental foundation for healthy relationships. This doesn’t mean ignoring wisdom or boundaries, but rather being willing to open up, share life, and allow others to walk alongside us—with discernment and grace.

Scripture teaches us that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). This symbolizes the strength found in the union of people when God is the central bond. Trust among brothers and sisters in Christ is upheld by the presence of the Holy Spirit—who guides, corrects, and comforts. Thus, we learn that while we abandon exclusive trust in ourselves, we are called to exercise faith in the body of Christ and live in responsible fellowship.

We must be one, just as Jesus is one with the Father (John 17:21). This shows us that fellowship among God’s children is not a minor detail—it is an essential part of the divine plan.

When we trust one another with hearts rooted in God, we reveal to the world that we belong to Him. Our unity and mutual trust are fruits of the greater trust we have in the Lord—a faith that unites, heals, restores, and leads.