The Holy Bible (1) is chock full of references warning us not to put our trust and faith (2) in mere mortals. Does this mean we shouldn’t believe sweet Aunt Jenny when she tells us she loves us? Not at all… the point is that, as self-proclaimed followers (3) of Jesus Christ (4), we are called to lean on the unfailing wisdom of the Trinity (5) rather than the fallible advice of human beings.  Especially when we’re in rough waters (6), it’s critical to know what our compass, the Good News, says about how to navigate back toward safe harbor. 

To accomplish this, it's suggestive to hitch our plan up to God's Plan, amen? Accordingly, offered herein are related Old Testament (7) and New Testament (8) Scriptures encouraging us to follow God's narrow yet perfect road rather than the broad and sometimes pothole-ridden pathway (Wayne County drivers can relate) of our fellow human beings (well, maybe except for Aunt Jenny).

Please share far & wide. Free re-prints are available by exploring the PDF in the lower sidebar. Modifications are welcome at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com..

Exodus 23:2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd…"

Deuteronomy 1:17 "Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them."

Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 56:4 In God, whose Word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:10-11 In God, whose Word I praise, in the Lord, whose Word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Isaiah 8:11-13 This is what the Lord says to me with His strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread."

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

Isaiah 51:7 “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken My instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults."

Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass…"

Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord."

Daniel 10:19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” He said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When He spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my Lord, since You have given me strength.”

Micah 7:5 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace, guard the words of your lips.

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Matthew 10:32-33 "Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before my Father in Heaven."

Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him."

John 12:41-43 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. Yet, at the same time, many- even among the leaders- believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

John 14:23-31 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our Home with them. Anyone who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. (click Scripture link to read entire passage)

John 15:4 Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!"

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 6:3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…

1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

2 Timothy 3:12-17 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

(2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/faith-in-god

(3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/discipleship

(4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

(5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/trinity

(6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/trials-tribulations

(7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

(8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament