Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5973 unreliability
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5973 unreliability

5973 unreliability

The quality of a person or thing that cannot be trusted or relied upon. Scripture notes the unreliability of human nature, while stressing the total reliability of God.

Human nature is unreliable

Ps 78:57 See also Isa 49:15; Hos 6:4; 2Co 1:9

Examples of unreliable people Ge 40:23 the chief cupbearer; 1Sa 13:13-14 King Saul; Hos 5:13 Israel Jesus Christ’s disciples: Mt 26:40 pp Mk 14:37 pp Lk 22:45; Mt 26:56 pp Mk 14:50

Unreliable people are not to be trusted Pr 25:19 See also Ps 146:3-4; Isa 2:22

False gods are unreliable

Isa 45:20 See also Dt 4:28; Ps 115:4-8; Isa 40:20; Jer 10:5,10,14-15; Jer 51:17-18; Da 5:23; Hab 2:18; Mt 24:5 pp Mk 13:6 pp Lk 21:8

Human wisdom is unreliable

1Co 3:19-20 See also Jdg 20:36; Job 5:13; Isa 30:12-13; Isa 59:4; Eze 28:6-7; Ro 1:22; 1Co 1:19-21,25; Col 2:23

Military strength is unreliable

Ps 44:6 See also 1Sa 17:45; Ps 33:16-17; Isa 31:1; Isa 36:4-6; Eze 33:26; Hos 1:7; Hag 2:22; Mt 26:52

Material wealth is unreliable

Pr 11:28 See also Ps 62:10; Jer 49:4; Hag 1:9; Hag 2:16-17; Zec 9:3-4; Mt 6:19; Mt 13:22 pp Mk 4:19 pp Lk 8:14; 1Ti 6:9-10

The consequences of unreliability

Unreliable actions let God down Hos 11:2-3 See also Isa 5:7; Jer 2:21; Mt 26:34 pp Mk 14:30 pp Lk 22:34; Lk 16:10-12

Unreliability leads to disappointment Jas 1:7-8 See also Mt 21:30,43; Lk 16:10-12; Ac 15:37-38

Trust in unreliable things

Leads to self-delusion Isa 44:20 See also Isa 47:10; Lk 12:20; Rev 3:17

Leads to judgment Jer 17:5 See also Ps 49:13-14; Ps 52:5-7; Isa 20:5; Jer 46:25; Am 6:1,7

Unreliable people are judged

Eze 13:9 See also Isa 20:6; Mal 2:7-9; Mt 23:38; Mt 25:26-27 pp Lk 19:22-23

God is never unreliable

Nu 23:19 See also 1Ki 8:56; Ps 71:6; Jn 8:26; 2Co 1:20; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18; 1Jn 4:13-16

See also

5020human nature
5798betrayal
6145deceit
8030trust
8331reliability
8354trustworthiness
8357weakness
8361wisdom
8755folly
8768idolatry
8778materialism
8839unfaithfulness