Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptReliance, in a biblical context, refers to the act of trusting, depending, or placing confidence in God. It is a fundamental aspect of faith, where believers are called to depend on God's wisdom, strength, and provision rather than their own understanding or abilities. Reliance on God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in the divine.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of reliance is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In
Proverbs 3:5-6, believers are instructed: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of trusting God completely and not relying on human wisdom.
The account of Abraham is a profound example of reliance on God. In
Genesis 15:6, it is written, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith and reliance on God's promises, despite seemingly impossible circumstances, serve as a model for believers.
The Israelites' journey through the wilderness also illustrates reliance on God. In
Exodus 16, God provides manna from heaven, teaching the Israelites to depend on Him daily for sustenance. This reliance is further emphasized in
Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses reminds the people that God "humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, reliance on God is central to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself exemplifies reliance on the Father, as seen in
John 5:19: "Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does."
The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of reliance on God. In
2 Corinthians 1:9, he writes, "Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead." Paul acknowledges that trials and hardships serve to deepen reliance on God's power and deliverance.
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to rely on God through prayer: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Theological ImplicationsReliance on God is a key aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the believer's dependence on divine grace and guidance. It underscores the limitations of human strength and wisdom, pointing to the necessity of faith in God's sovereignty and goodness. Reliance is not passive but involves active trust and obedience, as believers seek to align their lives with God's will.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, reliance on God involves daily prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a commitment to live according to God's commandments. It requires humility, recognizing one's own limitations and the need for God's intervention in every aspect of life. Believers are encouraged to cast their cares upon God, as stated in
1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
Reliance on God also manifests in community life, where believers support one another, bearing each other's burdens as instructed in
Galatians 6:2. This mutual reliance within the body of Christ reflects the interconnectedness of faith and the shared journey of trusting in God's provision and guidance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Dependence; confidence; trust; repose of mind upon what is deemed sufficient support or authority.
2. (n.) Anything on which to rely; dependence; ground of trust; as, the boat was a poor reliance.
Greek
4006. pepoithesis -- confidence... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pepoithesis Phonetic Spelling: (pep-oy'-thay-sis)
Short Definition: confidence, trust Definition: confidence, trust,
reliance.
...5013. tapeinoo -- to make low, fig. to humble
... With the believer, 5013 ("show humility, true lowliness") happens by being fully
dependent on the Lord -- dismissingreliance upon (-government) and ....
5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... For the believer, 5012 ("humility") means living in , ie with noreliance on (the
flesh). [5012 () is atypically used of humility in Col 2:18,23.]. humility...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... From peitho; persuasion, ie Credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the
truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especiallyreliance upon Christ...
Library
Reliance for the Future.
... THE SEASONS, ANNUAL OCCASIONS, ETC. 901. "Reliance for the Future. 901. 8s. & 7s.
M. Estlin.Reliance for the Future. 1 Gracious Source of every blessing!...
Reliance on God.
... RELIGIOUS EXULTATION. 637. "Reliance on God. 637. SM Moravian.Reliance
on God. 1 Give to the winds thy fears; Hope and be...
SM Moravian.Reliance.
... 254. SM Moravian.Reliance. 1 Commit thou all thy griefs And ways into His hands,
To His sure trust and tender care, Who earth and heaven commands;...
LM Collett.Reliance.
... VI. THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. 261. LM Collett.Reliance. 1 Through all the various
shifting scene Of life's mistaken ill or good, Thy hand, O God!...
February the Twenty-Ninth InvincibleReliance
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-ninth INVINCIBLERELIANCE. HEBREWS xi.17-22.... The critical need
unveils His grace. Faith goes out on this invinciblereliance....
Letter xiii. --Reliance on God Alone.
... FIFTH BOOK: FRESH TRIALS, SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS. Letter XIII."Reliance
on God Alone. To the same Sister. I acknowledge that...
The Inhabitant of the Rock
... here. Now the literal meaning of the expression here rendered 'to trust'
is to lean upon anything. As we say, trust isreliance. As...
'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... He that hath faith thereby has the righteousness which is through faith in Christ,
for in his faith he has the one formative principle ofreliance on God...
The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... It may be of several kinds; particularly"that to which precludes trust in God, and
reliance on his grace in Christ"that which operates to explain away the...
Hobab
... I wish to bring out is this, that the living heart and root of true Christianity
is neither more nor less than the absolute and utterreliance upon nothing...
Thesaurus
Reliance (6 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Anything on which to rely; dependence; ground of trust; as, the boat was
a poor
reliance. Multi-Version Concordance
Reliance (6 Occurrences).
...Trust (201 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Assured resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship,
or other sound principle, of another person; confidence;reliance;reliance...
Confidence (103 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith
in; trust;reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in....
Faith (769 Occurrences)
... testimony has always associated with it a deep sense of sin, a distinct view of
Christ, a consenting will, and a loving heart, together with areliance on, a...
Reliable (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Suitable or fit to be relied on; worthy of
dependence orreliance; trustworthy. Multi-Version Concordance...
Relied (10 Occurrences)
Strength (517 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength,
or firmness; that on which confidence orreliance is based; support...
Numbering (35 Occurrences)
... It indicated areliance on his part on an arm of flesh, an estimating of his power
not by the divine favour but by the material resources of his kingdom....
On (40792 Occurrences)
... 7. (prep.) Indicating dependence orreliance; with confidence in; as, to depend
on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support...
Gracious (106 Occurrences)
... For the reason for our boasting is this--the testimony of our own conscience that
it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, and inreliance not on...
Resources
What does the Bible say about burnout? | GotQuestions.orgIs there anything God cannot do? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to people who claim, “I saw Jesus”? | GotQuestions.orgReliance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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