There’s nothing quite like Proverbs for pithy words to live by. Short, not usually sweet but very to the point, and although even children can understand them on some level, there’s always something deeper to mull over.
It’s been my habit as part of my daily Bible reading, off and on for as long as I can remember but very consistently for the last couple years, to read one chapter of Proverbs per day, in accordance with the day of the month. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “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 path.” – are quite likely the most well-known verses in all of Proverbs. It was verse 7 though that caught my attention: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
“Be not wise in your own eyes.” It sounds like basically the opposite of verses 5 and 6, an obstinate self-reliance rather than trusting the Lord and allowing him to lead you (make your path straight). Chances are good that you’ve met someone wise in their own eyes, and equally good that you’ve been that person a time or two. The stereotypical teenager comes to mind, but hopefully we outgrow that at some point. We can all think of a time, I’m sure, that we were less than teachable; and those around us who seem impervious to correction, who live by the maxim “My way or the highway”, dead-set to always prove themselves right and others wrong, are often the individuals who rankle us most.
Beyond the shallow waters of interpersonal relationships though, there’s a deeper warning for those who care to look: one’s own wisdom stands in opposition to the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord, after all, is only truly possible with a right view of who we are and who the Lord is. (Or possibly it forms that view. They’re inextricably intertwined. Further, if there’s a connection between fearing the Lord and departing from evil – and the rest of Scripture bears that out – then it stands to reason that those who are wise in their own eyes are more likely to turn towards evil than away from it. Not really a great way to go.
The book of Proverbs can be challenging. It’s a book of principles more than a book of promises, but we’d do well to think through and carefully consider those principles as we live our lives.
I agree that we can glean something from Proverbs no matter what stage you are in your walk with God. It is only when I put the me, myself and I behind and look to the Lord am I on the path to wisdom.