The Bible verse Proverbs 3:7 says “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” This verse contains an important message about the dangers of pride and self-reliance, and the importance of humbly fearing God. In 9000 words, we will explore the meaning of this verse and its implications for our lives.
The Danger of Being Wise in Your Own Eyes
To be “wise in your own eyes” means to rely on one’s own understanding and perspective, rather than seeking wisdom from God. It is characterized by an attitude of pride, self-sufficiency, and dismissal of other viewpoints. Some problems with being wise in one’s own eyes include:
Overestimating One’s Wisdom
When we are wise in our own eyes, we tend to overestimate our own wisdom and perspective (Proverbs 12:15, 26:12). We think our opinions and insights are greater than they really are. But God reminds us that no human can fully comprehend His plans and ways, as His thoughts and wisdom far surpass our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). Our limited human perspective prevents us from having perfect understanding.
Rejecting Outside Wisdom
Being wise in our own eyes can lead us to stubbornly reject counsel and wisdom from others (Proverbs 12:1). We ignore advice and viewpoints that challenge our own. But others can provide perspective and insights that we lack on our own. Their counsel should be weighed carefully rather than rejected out of hand (Proverbs 19:20-21).
Self-Reliance Rather than Reliance on God
When we are wise in our own eyes, we rely on our own understanding rather than seeking and trusting God’s wisdom. We can falsely believe that we know best and do not need to humble ourselves and seek the Lord’s insights (Proverbs 3:5-7). But our ways of thinking are incomplete compared to the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Lack of Accountability
People who consider themselves wise in their own eyes are less likely to accept rebuke or correction from others (Proverbs 9:7-8, 15:12). They are not accountable to other sound perspectives and counsel. But we need godly people in our lives to lovingly keep us accountable and encourage us to righteousness and wisdom (Proverbs 27:17).
Pride and Arrogance
Being wise in one’s own eyes is rooted in the sin of pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation (Proverbs 26:5, 12). It is the opposite of the humility that God calls us to, that recognizes our dependence on Him (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5-6). Pride leads to conflict rather than peace (Proverbs 13:10).
The Godly Alternative: Fearing the Lord
Instead of being wise in our own eyes, Proverbs 3:7 instructs us to “fear the Lord.” What does this mean?
Respecting and Revering God
Fearing the Lord starts with a humble reverence and awe for who God is (Psalm 33:8). It recognizes His utter holiness, glory, majesty, and surpassing greatness. He is the Almighty Creator and Sovereign Lord of all. Fearing Him means humbly acknowledging our smallness and complete reliance on Him.
Obeying and Serving God
Fearing God leads to obeying and serving Him, because we trust His perfect wisdom and ways (Deuteronomy 6:24, Ecclesiastes 12:13). We recognize that His commands are always good, life-giving, and for our benefit, even when we don’t fully understand them. Fearing God means surrendering our will to follow His.
Turning from Evil
When we fear the Lord, we hate evil and actively turn from sin, desiring instead to lead holy lives (Proverbs 8:13, 16:6). We do this because we recognize that God is holy and righteous. We take sin seriously and see it as destructive, because it displeases the Lord we love and fear.
Humbly Seeking God’s Wisdom
Fearing God moves us to seek His wisdom rather than relying on our own (Psalm 25:12, Proverbs 15:33). In humility and reliance on Him, we pray for and study His Word to gain His divine perspective and insights for life. We yield our inadequate human wisdom to His all-knowing counsel.
Finding Peace and Purpose
The person who fears the Lord finds meaning and security in belonging to and serving Him (Psalm 85:9, Proverbs 19:23). Our identity is firmly rooted in Christ rather than in our own wisdom and accomplishments. We find our purpose in glorifying God rather than exalting self.
How Does Fearing God Produce True Wisdom?
While the world’s wisdom relies on human perspective and effort, the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). How does fearing God make us truly wise? Consider several reasons:
We Gain God’s Perspective
By revering and obeying God, we gain access to His divine perspective and insights which far surpass human wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16). Through His Word and Spirit, we progressively learn to view life from His higher vantage point.
We Rely on Complete Wisdom
Human wisdom is limited and subject to error, but God’s wisdom is comprehensive, flawless, and without any shortcoming (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-34). Basing decisions on His counsel rather than our own is the only way to avoid incomplete or misleading wisdom.
We Receive Special Insight
God promises special wisdom and insight to those who fear Him and seek His will (Psalm 25:14, Proverbs 2:6-8). Through prayer and discernment, He reveals solutions and perspectives we never would have discovered on our own.
We Are Teachable Before God
A humble, God-fearing attitude makes us open and receptive to His instruction, which leads to true enlightenment (Psalm 25:9, 145:11-12). Pride closes our ears, but reverent submission makes us ready learners.
We Develop Discernment
Fearing the Lord enables us to better distinguish truth from falsehood. We become discerning of ideas and philosophies that contradict God’s wisdom (Hebrews 5:14). We test everything against His flawless standards.
Practical Ways to Avoid Being Wise in Our Own Eyes
Here are some habits and practices to help us avoid the dangerous trap of relying on our own wisdom and become people who humbly fear the Lord instead:
Prayerfully Study God’s Word
Immersing ourselves regularly in Scripture recalibrates our perspective to God’s trustworthy wisdom rather than our limited ideas (Psalm 119:97-100). As we study and meditate on God’s Word, we encounter His thoughts and insights.
Remain Teachable and Open to Correction
We should listen carefully to wise counsel from godly people and receive it with humility, even when it challenges our view (Proverbs 19:20). Their perspective may highlight our blindspots. Let us remain humble and teachable.
Remember How Great God Is
Reflecting on God’s surpassing greatness, wisdom, and holiness fosters awe of Him. Our problems seem smaller when we ponder His power and unlimited understanding. Our wisdom seems petty next to the Almighty’s.
Yield Our Will and Ways to God
Surrendering our opinions, plans, and lifestyle to the Lord’s direction is key. His guidance and reproof can correct us and reveal where we have operated in our own wisdom. His ways are higher.
Ask God to Search Our Hearts
Since pride can subtly deceive us, praying as David did to “search me and know my heart” can unveil hidden arrogance (Psalm 139:23-24). We need God’s help to identify blindspots where we fail to fear Him fully.
Focus on Loving and Serving Others
Shifting our attention to humbly serving others moves us away from obsession with our own ideas and desires. It orients us outward to God and neighbors rather than inward to self.
The Serious Consequences of Being Wise in One’s Own Eyes
The book of Proverbs strongly warns against the dangers of relying on human wisdom or being “wise in your own eyes.” What are some serious consequences this approach leads to?
Rejection of God’s Ways
People who lean on their own understanding often reject God’s moral standards and instructions (Romans 1:22). They disregard His wisdom and absolutes and instead do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).
Disaster and Calamity
Those who are wise in their own eyes reject God’s wise counsel, and as a result experience needless pain and difficulties due to their foolishness (Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 5:21). They stray down destructive paths.
Immorality and Perversion
Trusting our faulty human wisdom over God’s perfect law leads to moral confusion and sinful behaviors the Bible condemns (Romans 1:21-32). Human reasoning alone cannot discern what is moral and right.
Broken Relationships and Conflict
Pride causes contention with others (Proverbs 13:10). Our own “wisdom” damages our ability to relate well and breeds strife in marriages, friendships, workplaces, and churches.
Eternal Condemnation
Living by ungodly human wisdom ultimately leads to eternal separation from God if repentance does not occur (Romans 1:21-23). Jesus warned about false wisdom sending people to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
Examples of Being Wise in Your Own Eyes
To understand this problem more fully, let’s look at some real-life manifestations and examples of being “wise in your own eyes” that the Bible warns against:
The Pharisees
Jesus strongly rebuked the Pharisees for relying on human religious traditions and their own legalistic standards rather than following God’s true wisdom (Matthew 23:16-26).
Solomon’s Son Rehoboam
When Solomon’s son Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of elders and instead followed the advice of young peers, the nation of Israel was torn in two (1 Kings 12:6-19).
The Corinthians
Paul corrected the Corinthian church’s pride in following human wisdom and divisions over favorite leaders, rather than Christ alone (1 Corinthians 1:10-3:23).
God’s People in Isaiah’s Day
Isaiah condemned the people of Judah in his day for trusting in human wisdom and strength rather than seeking the Lord (Isaiah 5:21, 31:1-3).
The Skeptic
The person who doubts or rejects the validity of Scripture because it contradicts the shifting sands of secular culture’s “wisdom.”
The Abortion Advocate
Someone who insists abortion is morally permissible, leaning on flawed human reasoning rather than biblical truth.
In Closing: Our Need for God’s Wisdom
Proverbs 3:7 delivers an important exhortation for us to avoid relying on our own limited wisdom or “what is right in our own eyes.” Our perspective as fallen people is deceptively prone to pride and error. We need to fear the Lord, which means humbly revering, obeying, and seeking Him. Only through submitting our thinking to the perfect wisdom of God and His Word can we gain true understanding and live wisely. May we recognize the inadequacy of human viewpoints, and instead pursue the knowledge of Christ above all. He alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).