Let’s be honest. We all know betrayal is unavoidable. No matter how careful we are, at some point in life, someone will let us down. It’s almost expected when stepping into new relationships. But here’s where things get tricky—being a follower of Christ doesn’t exempt you. It guarantees it.
Family members let you down.
Friends let you down.
Teachers let you down.
Employers and coworkers let you down.
It’s human nature. And our first instinct? Build walls. Protect ourselves. Keep people at a safe distance so we never feel that pain again. As much as we try to protect ourselves, the residue of past hurt doesn’t just disappear. It lingers—in our thoughts, our actions, even in how we speak. And whether we realize it or not, it motivates how we maneuver in new relationships.
The Bible calls it the Fruit Test—a reflection of what’s really inside us. The world sees it through our patterns, behaviors, and responses. So, the real question isn’t if betrayal will happen. The question is: What will it reveal about us when it does? How do we protect ourselves from revisiting past negative emotions?
What is False Hope?
False hope is misplaced trust and confidence, empty or unrealized expectations in things, people, or circumstances that can’t deliver on what was promised leading to great disappointment. An example of this is in Psalm 10:6 & Matthew 25:3 & 8.
The Bible warns us that trusting in anything apart from God is deceptive and leads to spiritual harm, and earthly security is temporary, but the hope found in God is eternal.
Scriptures for Reference:
Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV) – “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”
Proverbs 11:28 (KJV) – “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
1 John 2:17 (KJV) – “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
3 Ways to Test for False Hope:
- Hoping for heaven without true faith or a relationship with God. (Matt. 7:21)
- Claiming Christianity without a transformed heart. (Titus 1:16)
- Depending on personal strength instead of God’s guidance. (Pro. 3:5-6)
Where is your trust placed?
Locate where you are putting your trust and confidence. Now, put it to the test—the Fruit Test.
Psalm 118:8 reminds us “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Why? People will fail. Promises will be broken. Expectations will crumble. But God remains unshaken.
When we talk about trust and confidence in the Lord, we often say one thing but do another. Trust isn’t temporary—it’s a mindset and a way of living. It’s when we intentionally choose to rely on God instead of our abilities or the short-lived possessions of this world.
True trust in God is having full confidence in His character, promises, and actions—even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
Let’s take a look at this example:
“I went through a period of intense conflict at work. It felt like I was always faced with tough decisions about the nature of my job and what I was actually doing. The confusion was overwhelming, and it seemed like I couldn’t get a grip on the work anymore. After eight months with one team, I transitioned to a new one, where I had to quickly learn a side of my job I had never done before. At first, the move felt like a good step, but things quickly started to fall apart. I wasn’t meeting deadlines, and the pressure mounted. I began talking to people around me, and surprisingly, each one shared their own story of taking a leave of absence at some point. I initially brushed it off, but as I reflected, I began to understand what they were talking about and how I could approach it. Eventually, I decided to see my doctor. He approved a leave of absence, and the very day I received his written approval, I knew it was time. I walked away from the job. Making that decision was incredibly difficult. As a mother with a car to maintain and rent to pay, the responsibility weighed heavily on me. But in those moments of hesitation, I clearly felt God nudging me to trust Him over what I could see with my own eyes. He was calling me to step out in faith, and I knew I had to obey, even when everything seemed uncertain.”
This brings us to a simple but powerful truth: at some point in your life, you will have to choose where to place your full trust and confidence. Will it be in the world—people, places, and things we can see—or will it be in God?
Many of us unknowingly place false trust in humans, in wealth, or even in power and weapons. But true confidence comes from trusting the One who is unshaken and eternal.
Recognizing False Trust In Ourselves
Matthew 7:27
This scripture refers to a wise man building his house on a rock, a foundation so strong that the winds and rains couldn’t blow it over.
The scripture says, “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Matthew 7:27, KJV).
We know through 1 Corinthians 10:4 that Jesus Christ is the Rock.
The Bible says, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4, KJV). So, according to Matthew 7:27, the wise man built his house on Christ, resulting in an undestroyable foundation.
Lamentations 4:17
This scripture shares that you will encounter people who see you in trouble, but they won’t be able to save you.
The scripture says, “As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching, we have watched for a nation that could not save us.” (Lamentations 4:17, KJV).
Psalm 62:10
This scripture calls us not to trust in oppression, not to place vain hope in robbery and warns that if riches increase, we should not set our hearts on them.
The verse says, “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” (Psalm 62:10, KJV).
Luke 12:19
This scripture reminds us that accumulating worldly possessions and saving them up serves no eternal purpose. We may have saved enough for years, but suddenly we could pass away, and all the security we’ve accrued will serve no lasting purpose.
Jesus says, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:19-20, KJV).
Self-Deception Leads to Betrayal, then to False Hope
When we put our trust in the wrong places, we deceive ourselves, often leading to death, grief, war, famine, humiliation, and poverty. God didn’t call us to hope and trust in Him because He doesn’t want us to enjoy life, relationships, work, or possessions. Rather, He wants us to have good possessions. The Word tells us this:
James 1:17 (KJV)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Matthew 7:11 (KJV)
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Romans 8:32 (KJV)
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
The Choice Between Temporary Fixes and Trust in God
As we wrap up this discussion, we’re reminded that false hope is nothing more than a temporary fix for a deeper issue: misplaced trust. Betrayal and hurt are inevitable, but how we respond to them matters. While we may be tempted to place our trust in things, people, or our abilities, these are all fleeting and unreliable sources of security. The world offers temporary fixes, but only God offers lasting hope and peace.
When we choose to place our trust in God, we build a foundation that cannot be shaken—just as the wise man built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:27). It’s not about avoiding the storms of life, but about trusting the One who holds us steady in the midst of them. True confidence and peace come from knowing that God, the giver of good gifts, will never fail us.
So, when betrayal strikes and the world around you shakes, remember: don’t trust in temporary fixes. Turn to God, who promises to give you all things that are good and perfect for your life (James 1:17, Matthew 7:11, Romans 8:32). Trust in His unchanging character and let your confidence rest in the eternal Rock of Christ. In doing so, you’ll discover that even after the storm passes, you will stand firm, rooted in His love, peace, and grace.
The Fruit Test
I mentioned the Fruit Test earlier, and for some, it might be new or a good reminder. After experiencing betrayal, we must conduct a thorough test within ourselves and in others when forming relationships in any capacity. Take ‘The Fruit Test’ – See What It Says About You
Note of Reminder: As followers of Christ, we stand firm in the promises of the Holy Bible. While various translations exist, we always compare them with the KJV to ensure no detail is lost.
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