Trust in Man
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
—a sin against the first commandment when one relies upon personal ability, human power, or another person in such a way that God’s mercy and help are forgotten. The creature then takes the place that belongs to the Creator. Jeremiah warns: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD” (Jer. 17:5). This does not condemn ordinary human cooperation but the idolatrous transfer of ultimate trust from God to a creature.