Trust or Faith?

Why do so many among the clergy and laity falter in their spiritual journeys? Many people claim to have faith—a belief that certain religious truths or principles are valid simply because their hearts tell them so. This “blind faith” suggests that the truth lies deep within, emerging from their feelings and inner convictions. It is a central tenet in many of the world’s religions: that truth is found within oneself, in the heart, mind, or emotions.

However, Scriptures teach a different path. They declare that genuine truth does not originate from the human heart or mind, which is often prone to error, sin, and deception. Instead, true wisdom and understanding must be sought outside ourselves, in Yahweh’s divine revelation and guidance. Trust in Yahweh and His word leads us to the ultimate truth, not the subjective, fleeting beliefs formed within us.

Definitions of Heart and Truth
The Heart
The Hebrew word for “heart” is לב (leb), more than just the physical organ that pumps blood. It embodies the deeper, more intimate aspects of a person’s being: feelings, will, intellect, and character. It is the center of one’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations. It speaks to the core of who we are, the seat of our feelings, intentions, and desires. All of these characteristics embody the attributes of the human לב (leb; heart/mind).

In Scriptures, the לב (leb; heart/mind) emphasizes the emotional, intellectual, and volitional elements of our inner selves, and its extended form לבב (lebab; innermost self), as noted, refers to the innermost self, the mind’s deepest desires and purpose. It is the place from which all actions, beliefs, and decisions flow. Yet, Scriptures frequently highlight that the human heart, apart from Yahweh’s truth, is deceitful and can lead us astray.

Jeremiah 17:9 – “The leb (heart; mind) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

In Greek, the Hebrew term for heart is translated as καρδία (kardia), from which we get the word “cardiac” in English, pointing to both the physical and figurative heart—the seat of thoughts and feelings, the center of life and direction.

Trust and Truth
In John 18:38, Pilate asks, “What is truth (ἀλήθεια; aletheia)?” This question echoes throughout the ages, as the quest for truth is a central theme in both Scriptures and human existence. The Greek word ἀλήθεια (aletheia) translates as “truth,” implying something that is not concealed, something real and actual.

In contrast, πίστις (pistis) is the Greek term for “trust,” describing the conviction or persuasion we place in something or someone. Unfortunately, this word, often translated as “faith,” emphasizes the active engagement of trust—it’s not just intellectual agreement but a relational confidence in what is true.

Importantly, in the Hebrew context, the term for truth is אמן (aman) and is deeply connected in the concept of trust. The Hebrew root אמן (aman) carries profound meanings: it refers to “building up” or “supporting,” like a parent nurturing a child, fostering trust. It speaks of something made firm, permanent, and secure. When used in a moral sense, אמן (aman) describes reliability, certainty, and truth. It is the foundation of what is true, reliable, and enduring.

From this root, we also get אמון (amun), which signifies something “established” or “trustworthy.” The variant term אמונה (amunah) conveys firmness, security, and fidelity, often translated as “truth” in texts like Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalms 33:4.

Another derivative, אמת (amath), emphasizes stability and certainty—both essential elements of truth and trust. Aman and its variations highlight the inseparable bond between trust and truth in the Hebrew language. To trust is to stand firm in what is true, and to understand truth is to place our trust in something stable, reliable, and secure.

In this light, both trust and truth transcend mere belief. They represent a deep, enduring commitment to what is certain, stable, and reliable—qualities only found in the foundation of Yahweh’s word.

Trust and Truth as Reality
The central idea behind the Hebrew and Greek terms for trust, usually translated as “faith,” is that trust and truth are two inseparable aspects of the same reality.

• Reality is that which is true and exists regardless of our awareness or understanding. Whether we recognize it or not, the moon exists, and gravity operates, even though the nature of gravity remains a mystery to scientists.

• Truth, in the biblical sense, does not refer to a “blind faith” or a “faith of the heart,” but to a foundational reality that exists independently of our feelings or perceptions.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary makes a crucial distinction between faith and trust. Faith is defined as a “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” In contrast, trust is “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.”

Also, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary adds that truth is “the body of real things, events, and facts: ACTUALITY.” This highlights that while faith may sometimes be based on belief without evidence, trust and truth require a foundation in reason, logic, evidence, and reality.

In Scriptures, trust and truth are not about unquestioning belief or subjective feelings. As mentioned, they are deeply rooted in evidence and reality. The Hebrew and Greek words used in the Scriptures invite us to engage with truth rationally—not as a feeling, but as a reality that can be known, tested, and proven.

Scriptures consistently teach that truth lies outside of us, waiting to be discovered and brought into our minds. For example:

John 17:17 – “Your word is truth (aletheia).”

Psalm 119:142 – “Your Torah is truth (amath).”

Psalm 119:151 – “All of your commandments are truth (amath).”

Psalm 19:9 – “The judgments of Yahweh are truth (amath).”

Psalm 117:2 – “The truth (amath) of Yahweh is forever.”

John 8:31-32 – “If you abide in my word, truly my disciples you are. And you shall know the truth (aletheian), and the truth (aletheia) shall set you free.”

As these passages demonstrate, truth is revealed to us through Yahweh’s word and commandments, not something that arises from within ourselves.

Moreover, Scriptures emphasize the need to test and prove all things:

1 Thes. 5:21 – “Prove (test) all things.”

This reinforces the idea that trust and truth are not arbitrary but must be tested and verified. Only through this process can we have firm reliance on what is true and trustworthy.

Is There Truth in a Person’s Heart?
Many people—Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others—believe that the proof of what is true can be found in their hearts. This belief suggests that truth is something personal, emerging from within. In Scriptures, the word for “heart” is often translated from the Hebrew terms leb and lebab and the Greek word kardia.

However, Scriptures challenge this notion. Over and over, we see that the unchecked heart cannot be trusted to guide us to truth. In fact, it is often the source of deceit and error:

Jeremiah 17:9 – “The leb (heart; mind) is deceitful above all things.”

Proverbs 28:26 – “He who trusts in his own leb (heart; mind) is stupid.”

Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Isaiah 5:21 – “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes!”

Numbers 15:39 – “… and that ye seek not after your own lebab (innermost self) and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring.”

In the New Testament, Yahushua and the apostles further expose the heart’s deceptive nature. In Matthew 15:10-20, Yahushua explains that “out of the kardia (heart/mind) come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

Similarly, in Mark 7:14-23, Yahushua highlights how the kardia (heart/mind) of men produces all kinds of wickedness, from murder to covetousness.

The apostle Saul also emphasizes the inherent sinfulness of the human heart. In Romans 3:9-18, he declares that “there is none righteous, no, not one,” and that “their throats are an open sepulcher,” pointing to the pervasive corruption of humanity.

The leb is filled with evil, as Ecclesiastes reminds us:

Ecclesiastes 9:3 – “…also the leb (heart; mind) of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their lebab (innermost self) while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” 

The scriptural perspective is clear: the human heart has no inherent truth. When left to its own devices, the heart is the source of sin, selfishness, and deceit. The natural condition of mankind is one of rebellion against the truth, as John 8:39-47 powerfully illustrates.

In John 8:44, Yahushua the Messiah confronts those who oppose Him, saying, “You are of your father, the devil,” and explains that there is “no truth in him”—neither in Satan nor in those who follow his lies. As Yahushua points out, the truth stands in stark contrast to the deception of the human heart.

This view aligns with the Scriptures’ broader teaching that truth is not something we can manufacture from within but must seek from an external, divine source. Our hearts (minds) are prone to error, but the truth is found in Yahweh’s word, which reveals what is eternal, trustworthy, and real.

Turn to Yahweh for Truth
If we search for truth within ourselves, we will only encounter deception, sin, and misguided thoughts. Scriptures clearly teach that truth lies beyond us—outside of our hearts (minds). The truth about who we are, where we have been, where we are going, and what we are meant to become can only be found by turning to the one who created us and designed us for reality. Yahweh is the source of all truth, and it is from Him that we must seek understanding.

Scriptures remind us that our hearts (minds) are unreliable guides, and we must look to Yahweh for direction:

Proverbs 16:1-2 – “The preparations of the leb (heart; mind) belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the רוּחות (ruachuth; spirits).”

Proverbs 3:5-7 – “Trust in Yahweh with all your leb (heart; mind), and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and depart from evil.”

Ecclesiastes 7:22-28 – “For oftentimes also your own leb (heart; mind) knows that you likewise have cursed others. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me…”

Proverbs 16:9 – “A man’s leb (heart; mind) plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.”

Proverbs 19:21 – “There are many plans in a man’s leb (heart; mind), but the counsel of Yahweh, that will stand.”

Proverbs 15:11 – “שׁאול (sheol; state of death) and destruction are before Yahweh, how much more the lebuth (hearts; minds) of the sons of men.”

These passages reveal a crucial truth: we cannot rely on our own understanding to grasp reality. Our hearts/minds may deceive us, but Yahweh’s wisdom, which is far beyond our own, directs our paths and leads us to the truth.

Prepare Your Heart/Mind to Learn the Truth
To truly learn the truth, we must prepare our hearts (minds) to receive it. Scriptures repeatedly emphasize that our hearts (minds) must be set on understanding, and we must humble ourselves before Yahweh to gain wisdom and insight. This is not a passive process—it requires intentionality, discipline, and a willingness to align our hearts (minds) with Yahweh’s will.

Daniel 10:10-12 — “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your leb (heart; mind) to understand and humbled yourself before your eloahi, your words have been heard…”

Psalm 78:8 – “The children of Israel were unlike their ancestors, for they did not prepare their leb (heart; mind) and רוּח (ruach; spirit), and they were not faithful to el.”

Proverbs 20:13 – “Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.” — The “bread” here can be understood as the word of Yahweh—truth that nourishes us when we open our minds to it.

Proverbs 7:25 – “Do not let your leb (heart; mind) follow the wicked ways.” — Here, the “wicked ways” are compared to the temptations of the harlot, urging us to guard our minds against worldly distractions.

Proverbs 16:5 – “Everyone proud in leb (heart; mind) is an abomination to Yahweh. Though they join hand in hand, they will not go unpunished.” — Pride in the mind blinds us to truth and separates us from Yahweh.

Psalm 95:10 – “For forty years, I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their lebab (innermost self), and they do not know My ways.’” — This refers to the Israelites in the wilderness, whose innermost selves were not prepared to trust and follow Yahweh fully.

These passages underscore the importance of preparing our hearts/minds to learn and accept Yahweh’s truth. We must approach the truth with humility, a willingness to let go of pride, and a commitment to align our will with Yahweh’s word. Only then can we overcome the veil of deception that clouds our judgment and move toward true understanding.

Truth Is to Be Incorporated
Popular religion often teaches that we can find proof of truth within our hearts/minds. For example, people are often encouraged to follow a particular doctrine because they “feel” it is true in their hearts. However, Scriptures teach a different reality. It reveals that all truth lies outside of us and must be brought in from the outside, then internalized and incorporated into our hearts and minds.

Hebrews 10:26 – “If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” — We can receive the knowledge of truth, indicating that it is external.

1 John 1:6-10 – “If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” — The truth can be within us, but only if we do not lie or deceive ourselves.

Luke 8:11-21 — “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good καρδίᾳ (heart; mind), having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” — The word of Yahweh is compared to a seed sown in the soil of a person’s mind. The seed (Yahweh’s truth) must be planted, nurtured, and grown within us.

John 5:38, 8:31, 37 – “You do not have His word abiding in you…” — The word must abide in us, meaning we must continually allow it to take root and remain in our hearts (minds).

Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me in Your truth and teach me.”

Psalm 26:3 – “For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.”

Psalm 86:11 – “Teach me Your way, O Yahweh; I will walk in Your truth.”

2 Corinthians 11:10 – “The truth of Messiah is in me.”

Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.”

As these passages clearly show, truth must be planted within us and kept, nourished, and continued. It does not naturally spring from our hearts/minds. Instead, it must be sought from outside — Yahweh’s word must be revealed and incorporated into our being.

Internalized truth then becomes trust. As we saw earlier, trust requires a foundation in truth. The apostle Saul describes the movement of truth from outside of us into our hearts/minds in Romans 10:12-17.

After citing Joel 2:32, which says “all who call upon the name of Yahweh shall be saved,” Saul explains that one cannot call upon Yahweh unless they first hear the word proclaimed.

Saul further references Isaiah 53:1, asking, “Yahweh, who has trusted our report?” Saul concludes, “So then trust comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yahweh.”

The key point is that trust comes from hearing the truth proclaimed. Without the word of Yahweh being proclaimed to us, we cannot come to the knowledge of truth or trust in it. Therefore, no one has the truth naturally inside them—whether they claim to be a teacher of Scriptures or not.

Yahweh’s Versus Men’s Traditions
The philosophies, religious traditions, and ways of life that dominate human affairs directly result from man’s leb (heart; mind). These human traditions, beliefs, and systems of thought often directly oppose the commands of Yahweh and are condemned by Him. The Scriptures clarify that man’s traditions, while often rooted in his own desires and understanding, are not the source of true wisdom or righteousness.

• The Traditions of Men

Isaiah 29:13 – “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men מלמּדה (ma-lamadah; learned by rote).” — The phrase ma-lamadah refers to a teaching method emphasizing rote memorization and repetition without true comprehension or heart transformation. This method leads to a shallow understanding of Yahweh, built on human tradition rather than divine revelation.

In the New Testament, the Greek term παράδοσις (paradosis) is used to refer to the traditions handed down by men. It conveys the idea of teachings or practices transmitted through generations but often devoid of true spiritual insight. Below are several Greek and Hebrew passages illustrating the concept of men’s traditions:

Galatians 1:11-17 — “…and I (Saul) advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers…” Saul speaks of his previous error, caught up in the traditions of his fathers.

Matthew 15:1-14; Mark 7:1-13 — “…this people honors me (Yahushua) with their lips, but their καρδίᾳ (heart; mind) is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men…” — Yahushua criticizes the elders for holding to the traditions of men, (i.e., the Mishnah and Talmudic traditions), and declares that evil comes out of men’s hearts, not from the external rituals they practice.

Jeremiah 16:19-21 – “…our fathers have inherited lies…” — This shows that man’s traditions often lead to deception.

1 Peter 1:17-18 – “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.”

Jeremiah 17:1-3 – “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond; it is engraved on the tablet of their heart.” — The people’s hearts were shaped by false traditions, leading them astray.

Titus 1:10-15 – “Avoid Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”

Colossians 2:8 – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men.”

Ephesians 4:17-18 – “…do not walk as the nations walk, in the futility of their intellect, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of the deity because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their καρδίᾳ (heart; mind).” — These traditions and philosophies of men lead to the futility, ignorance, and hardness of the mind.

Jeremiah 10:1-8 – “Do not learn the way of the nations… for their customs are futile.”

1 Timothy 4:1-10 – “Reject old wives’ fables, and the doctrines of demons.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.”

Isaiah 30:1 – “Woe to the rebellious children, says Yahweh, who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My רוּח (ruach; spirit), that they may add sin to sin.”

Judges 17:4-6; 21:25 – “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” — This demonstrates that man’s traditions and ways of thinking frequently lead to rebellion against Yahweh’s commands.

These passages highlight a key theme: the traditions and philosophies of men, whether cultural, religious, or personal, are rooted in the human leb (heart; mind), which is deceitful and prone to error. Conversely, Yahweh’s ways are truth, and His commands stand in opposition to human inventions.

• The Traditions of Yahweh
In contrast to the traditions of men, which are often rooted in human pride and error, Yahweh’s traditions are the commands, teachings, and practices He has established for His people. These traditions are meant to guide us in truth, align us with His will, and shape our lives according to His divine plan.

The Scriptures call us to hold fast to these traditions, to walk in them, and to imitate those who follow Yahweh’s ways.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 – “But we are bound to give thanks to the deity always for you, brethren beloved by Yahweh, because the deity from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the πνεύματος (pneumatos; spirit = ruach)   and trust in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our sovereign Yahushua Messiah. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6-11 – “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our sovereign Yahushua Messiah, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you.”

Acts 5:29 – “But Kephas (Peter) and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey Yahweh rather than men.’”

Romans 3:4 – “Let the deity be true, but every man a liar.” This reinforces the idea that Yahweh’s truth stands above human reasoning, and His traditions are the standard by which all else must be measured.

Isaiah 55:8 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says Yahweh.” Yahweh’s wisdom and plans transcend human understanding, and His ways are far above our own.

Isaiah 55:9 – “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Yahweh’s traditions include, among other things, keeping His commandments and observing the sacred feast days He has ordained for His people. These practices are not arbitrary; they are designed to draw us closer to Him, teach us His ways, and keep us grounded in truth. Unlike the traditions of men, which can lead us astray, Yahweh’s traditions lead to life, peace, and righteousness.

Conclusion
Romans 3:4-18 tells us that every man is a liar and no one is truly good. The natural inclination of the innermost self is to produce evil. Therefore, we cannot expect truth to emerge naturally from our minds or feelings. The root of man’s inability to follow Yahweh’s word is found in his own mind, which is prone to deception. From this flawed mind spring pagan and false traditions, doctrines, and philosophies.

Scriptures also clarify that we must first take control of our hearts/minds and set them toward understanding Yahweh’s truth. This means approaching Scriptures with humility—allowing it to speak to us rather than superimposing our preconceptions, beliefs, or assumptions onto the text. We must be willing to listen to what Scriptures tell us, not what we want it to say.

Moreover, genuine scriptural truth cannot be found within ourselves. We must look outside of our own hearts/minds and traditions to discover what Yahweh has revealed through His word. Only then can we incorporate that truth into our lives. To internalize and integrate this truth is to build trust within us—a trust rooted in the reality of Yahweh’s word.

This trust in Yahweh’s revelation leads us toward eternal life. Trust is not a blind faith based on our feelings or reasonings but a deep reliance on the objective truth in Yahweh’s word.

As we continue to incorporate this trust, we can move closer to the fullness of life Yahweh intends for us.