Skepticism vs Trust

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Skepticism or Trust

  • I'm generally skeptical even towards people I've known for a long time

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • I'm generally trusting even towards strangers

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • I'm skeptical at first, after some time, I learn to trust

    Votes: 4 44.4%

  • I easily trust people, after some time, then I learn to stop trusting

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    9
A

atwhatcost

Guest
#21
#21
Abing said:
It's true. Balance is the key. That's our end goal. But people have different stages, like, for me, right now, I'm exploring what it's like to 'freely' trust. There's a difference between that and just being dumb. So, right now, in my case, I'm generally trusting even towards strangers, cause my whole life I've been skeptical *always thinking that everyone has a hidden agenda or an evil plot or something against me, like I matter!! anyway*

Oh this is also the reason, I didn't put 'balance between skepticism and trust' as an option (cause that's perfection :p).

More like just wanting to see where we're at, right now, rather than what we ought to be. I could have made it clear in my OP.
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My thinking is if I trust immediately, the only thing I get is potential for friends and potential for someone to be good to me. I'm often disappointed.

If I don't trust people though, although it's more likely they will prove to be untrustworthy, I also set myself up to be isolated and alone.

Figure out which way you rather live and go from there. (I have a brother who does better alone than with people, so I don't think that's a bad choice.)
 
A

atwhatcost

Guest
#22
#22
Joidevivre said:
I honestly don't trust people since I have learned much about human behavior. Even Jesus said he trusted no man.
Everyone is capable of hurting you - maybe without meaning to, but they are looking out for their own interests usually.

What I look for in a person is how evident is their relationship with Christ. Are there fruits of that relationship? So in a way, I"m trusting in Christ's influence upon that person more than the person's ability to be trustworthy.
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Does that discount nonbelievers immediately then? (Not a judgment. You're old enough to make your own decisions, and even if you weren't, I still don't push people into how I think. So, just asking. :))
 
S

sydlit

Guest
#23
#23
Abing said:
Human heart is so frail.
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It can be, so sometimes we counter that with hardness. Guys especially, are almost expected to, or else we're called weak. Just can't win, sometimes. But, what the bible says about the heart is, it's desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things...who can know it. My own heart betrays me sometimes, and my only recourse is to come back to the cross and confess to the Lord, because at times, the only thing I know is that I don't know. '_' . If my heart is hardened, I'm praying desperately for Him to break it, soften it, mold it, to be more like Him, to be more aware of His presence and more sensitive to those around me and how He would have me to be, to help, to speak a word of joy or concern, to pray, or just try to be more in tune to the needs of others. And if my heart is broken, I need to then come and ask Him to hide me, heal me, grant me a greater understanding and trust that He is sovereign over the affairs of men, and to give me greater resolve and courage to know His grace is sufficient, and the boldness to believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Praise God, what a wonderful Saviour to be so long-suffering and gracious to such a sinner as me! And that He not only allows this, but enourages us to come before His throne of grace, to find help in time of need. So I think I start out skeptical of others, but I hope not to stay there too long, and I need to learn how to have a childlike faith but not a childish naivetè. Maybe a bit of skepticism is a good thing in that regard, for safety reasons, but not so much that it would keep me from doing good. Jesus sends us as sheep among wolves, right? But He also says to be wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves. Some might say, trust but verify. Or perhaps, it's ok to be a bit skeptical, but season it with grace , mercy and peace, and pray for the day when love rules and reigns in the hearts of men. LORD, I pray, do that work in my heart for Jesus. Amen.
:)
"I don't ask for much, I only want trust, and you know it don't come easy".
 
GandalfTheWhite

GandalfTheWhite

Senior Member
#24
Jan 25, 2015
9,213
3,188
113
#24
Psa 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psa 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
 
seed_time_harvest

seed_time_harvest

Senior Member
#25
Dec 9, 2011
13,741
1,728
113
#25
Matthew 10:16
king James version(KJV)

16.)Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye, therefore, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
 
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