The book of Proverbs contains many wise sayings and teachings about how to live a godly life. One verse that stands out is Proverbs 26:12, which states: “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” This verse warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance.
When someone is “wise in their own eyes,” it means they rely only on their own understanding and insight. They do not look to God for wisdom or guidance. Instead, they lean on their own cleverness and belief in their own abilities. The book of Proverbs consistently warns against this attitude, stating that true wisdom comes from revering and trusting in the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).
A person who is wise in their own eyes rejects counsel and instruction from God’s word (Proverbs 12:15). They see themselves as self-sufficient and having no need to submit to a higher authority. But this is a path of foolishness because God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). No human can ever have perfect wisdom or understanding apart from God.
Proverbs 26:12 teaches that there is more hope for a self-proclaimed fool than someone who arrogantly relies on their own wisdom. A fool who recognizes their need for God has potential for growth and change. But a person fixed in their own ways, refusing to acknowledge their limits, will persist in wrong thinking and conduct.
The verse also implies that the self-wise stand in a dangerous place before God. Jesus warned that what is highly prized by men is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:15). Pride is listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 as one of the seven things God hates. The self-wise face the prospect of discipline and resistance from God if they do not humble themselves (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
Other proverbs confirm the risks of this proud attitude:
- “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
- “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12).
- “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin” (Proverbs 21:4).
The consistent message is that pride leads to harm, while humility brings blessing. There is always danger in thinking ourselves more insightful than we really are.
1. The Wise Person Seeks Input and Counsel
So how can we avoid being “wise in our own eyes”? The book of Proverbs gives some clues.
First, the truly wise person does not isolate themselves, but rather seeks input, instruction and correction from others. We see this in verses such as:
- “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).
- “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20).
- “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31).
Wise people recognize that they have blind spots. They understand that others can contribute perspectives and insights they lack on their own. So they surround themselves with trusted advisors who can speak honestly and constructively into their lives.
The wise person does not immediately reject criticism, but takes time to reflect on it and pray over it to discern what they should learn. As Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct the wise, and they will be wiser still.”
2. The Wise Person Seeks God’s Wisdom
Most importantly, the wise person seeks wisdom from the Lord rather than relying solely on their own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-7 is a key passage on this point:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
This reminds us that God sees everything clearly, while our perspective is limited. Thus we should look to him in humility and submission, rather than presuming that our own reasoning is sufficient.
Proverbs 2:6 declares, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” God’s word is a rich source of true insight and discernment that we desperately need. The more we know and apply Scripture, the less we will lean on our own flawed thinking.
Psalm 119:99-100 is also instructive: “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” As we saturate our minds with God’s truth, we gain insight far beyond human wisdom.
3. The Wise Person Accepts Correction
Another quality of the wise is shown in how they respond to correction and rebuke. Rather than defending themselves, they listen and take it to heart, desiring to learn and grow. We see this in verses like:
- “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1).
- “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored” (Proverbs 13:18).
- “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future” (Proverbs 19:20).
Wise people are humble enough to receive feedback that exposes their blind spots. When they are corrected, they do not try to justify themselves. They prayerfully evaluate what was said to identify anything they need to change. This receptiveness to reproof keeps them from persisting in folly.
4. The Wise Person Fears the Lord
Ultimately, wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). This means having a reverence for God that translates into obedience. The wise person sees themselves as under God’s authority rather than autonomous. They know their thinking and ways are prone to error apart from God’s light.
This humble posture of submission leads to blessing because God guides the meek and teaches them his way (Psalm 25:9). But the prideful end up incurring God’s discipline and opposition if they persist in their arrogance. As James 4:6 states, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
The person who fears God will flee from sinful attitudes like pride and self-reliance. They understand that true wisdom comes only from honoring the Lord in all their ways.
5. Examples of the Self-Wise in Scripture
The Bible includes many examples of people who were “wise in their own eyes” and suffered the consequences:
- Pharaoh: He stubbornly resisted God’s command to let the Israelites go, leaning on his own wisdom as an all-powerful ruler (Exodus 5:2). This led to terrible plagues on Egypt before Pharaoh’s eventual defeat.
- Korah: He arrogantly challenged Moses’ leadership, insisting “all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them” (Numbers 16:3). His rebellion ended in judgment from God.
- Saul: He disregarded Samuel’s instructions to wait for him before offering sacrifices (1 Samuel 13:8-14). His self-willed approach cost him the kingdom.
- Ahaz: He ignored the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and instead made an alliance with Assyria’s king (2 Kings 16). This led to Judah becoming a vassal state under Assyrian control.
Each of these men leaned on their own understanding rather than seeking the Lord’s wisdom. Their pride caused them to make foolish decisions that brought negative consequences.
6. Examples of the Humble
By contrast, the Bible commends many people who looked to God rather than themselves:
- David: Though far from perfect, David had a heart that was humble before God. When the prophet Nathan rebuked him, he responded with repentance rather than excuses (2 Samuel 12:1-13).
- Josiah: When the Book of the Law was discovered, Josiah responded by tearing his clothes and weeping before God over Judah’s disobedience. He then led extensive reforms (2 Kings 22).
- Isaiah: When given a vision of the Lord’s glorious holiness, he immediately confessed his own sinfulness and unworthiness (Isaiah 6:1-7).
- Centurion: Though a man of authority himself, he humbly told Jesus he was not worthy to have him come under his roof (Luke 7:1-10).
These examples show the appropriate response to God’s wisdom and truth. There is a humility and teachability that stands in stark contrast to stubborn pride. This posture leads to blessing and favor from the Lord.
7. How to Avoid Being Wise in Our Own Eyes
In summary, here are some practical suggestions for avoiding the trap of being “wise in our own eyes”:
- Prayerfully examine our hearts for pride and self-reliance.
- Study God’s word daily to shape our thinking and values.
- Surround ourselves with wise advisors who can speak honestly into our lives.
- Invite constructive criticism and listen without defensiveness.
- Respond to correction with humility rather than justification.
- Acknowledge our limited perspective and need for God’s direction.
- Fear the Lord and obey His commands over our own inclinations.
Wisdom starts with recognizing that God is light-years beyond us in understanding. Our only hope lies in humbly seeking Him rather than self-confidence. We must rely on grace to expose prideful blind spots in our thinking so we can walk in the truth. Then we will experience the blessings of being led by divine rather than human wisdom.