I have recently been told that removing myself from an ungodly situation meant I was not trusting God–that based on God’s sovereignty, He would deal with the sinning individual in His time, and that I had no responsibility to manage or steward my soul.

My heart was disturbed and my mind struggled to find its footing. Although I know I don’t trust God perfectly, it’s also true that the language of “trusting God” is sometimes used in situations involving authority, harm, or control. When applied this way, the phrase no longer reflects biblical trust–it becomes a means of avoiding accountability and dismissing discernment. Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 CSB)

This is one of many biblical principles that, when removed from context and applied without discernment, puts individuals in harm’s way and severely limits their God-given ability. How could trusting God possibly be wrong?

This is not a critique of trust in God itself, but of how spiritual language is sometimes used to protect authority, avoid responsibility, or require sacrifice from others without shared risk. The tenet of “trusting God” is dangerous when it is used in the following ways:

1. It removes accountability from the individual in a position of authority
2. It favors one individual at the cost of another
3. It requires risk for one individual and no risk for another

How can that be? What would it look like?

• Being rebuked, chastised, or guilted into always agreeing with the individual in authority: i.e. “God put me in this position. To disagree with me is to disagree with God. Trust God. He will take care of you.” (So I can do things my way without resistance.)
• Encouragement to remain in an ungodly relationship or organization: i.e. “You can trust God. He put you here. He will enable and empower you to stay here.”
• Excusing a lack of resources and human dignity: i.e. “Trust God. He promises to provide your every need in Christ Jesus.”
• If/When you do not obey or follow suit, “You’re not trusting God.”

In each of the above, the person requiring obedience or trust is exposing their unwillingness to trust God. Trusting God means we may not get what we want, when we want it. Trusting God means not attempting to manage others or outcomes. Trusting God may result in potential loss.

Take a close look at the person demanding trust. Do they exhibit trust in God? When/If a person or situation is “out of control,” do others see them demonstrating what it looks like to trust God? How do they respond to loss? If they talk about suffering–maybe past suffering–but seldom experience the type of suffering they impose on others, something is wrong.

Trusting God results in obeying His Word, living in a way that accurately represents His character and Spirit.

Trusting God looks like removing ourselves from danger (Prov. 27:12) and keeping ourselves in the love of God regardless of false teaching (Jude 21), and exposing the deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11). We don’t do this because we don’t want to please God, but because we love God–and love for God and our neighbor creates a desire for their good. We want to respond to evil with good (Rom. 12:21). God defines “good” as being conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus (Rom 8:28-29). In that case, nothing is better than walking in truth, lovingly exposing sin and providing an opportunity for repentance. Instead of placing trust in those who have proven untrustworthy, let us follow Jesus—responding to evil with good, and refusing to confuse faithfulness with silence.