In many dictionaries, the words “trust” and “truth” are one word apart on the page.
The definitions:
Trust: belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective.
- Psalm 91:2 (King James Version), “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”
- Psalm 146:3 “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
Truth: The quality or state of being true - fact in accordance with the actual state of affairs.
- John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- John 16:13 “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth…”
Trust and truth go hand in hand. They are basic and necessary ingredients in human interactions — marriage, friendship, leadership, business, government and church.
All stand or fall to the degree we trust them to tell us the truth.
Polls show (if you can trust them!) that 60% of young adults believe nobody can be trusted!
Historically, Americans have trusted in our foundational institutions but over the past few years that confidence has been eroded.
Is it any wonder? When so much of daily life has been politicized. Personally, I have begun to lose trust in many institutions, e.g., the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), NIOSH (National Institute of Safety and Health). Two years ago, they told us when we “flattened the curve”, closures and mandates would end. For two years they’ve told us to get the vaccine and “you couldn’t get COVID, and you couldn’t give it.” Results: many of us got the vaccine and we got COVID! We were encouraged to wear a mask to keep from getting COVID. Eighty percent of the population put on the mask only to find the mask doesn’t deliver on it’s promise. And while many are mandated to wear a mask, we see so many public personalities not wearing one. Hypocrisy.
Am I right to be skeptical?
Science: In 1915 Albert Einstein wrote a paper whose equations indicated the universe was expanding or perhaps collapsing in on itself. The “settled science” during this period was that the universe was eternal and unchanging. It had no beginning and time had no beginning - so, when his calculations directly challenged this idea, Einstein balked - why? He feared challenging the establishment’s view—rather than let math and physics say what they said and imply what they implied, Einstein decided to punt. Science continues today to enter a door marked Creation/Design if that’s where their discussion takes them. Am I right to be skeptical? “Is Atheism Dead” (Eric Metaxas, page 16, published by Salem Books).
Education: As education introduces social issues into the curriculum, so many times they come out at those issues from a decidedly liberal/progressive perspective. Gender issues, Critical Race Theory, voting, American History. When parents object to what is being taught, in comes the Federal Government labeling parents as terrorists! Is this the role of the Education system? Meanwhile, students are failing math, science, reading—Am I right to be skeptical?
God has given us a number of warnings about placing trust in our own human wisdom, intellect and arrogance because there are consequences coming from a system which influences society away from God.
Jeremiah 17:5 says, “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”
We are living in a time where it seems those who influence us appear to have no problem lying to us – the news Media appears to be the biggest offenders. As a result, polls say only the tiniest minority of Americans have any trust in them. Who to trust? Answer: Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us … “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” You see. Truth and trust really are perfect together.