Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Proverbs 26 we're told about the terrible condition of a fool .... yet,
there is more hope for a fool than for a man wise in his own eyes, in
his own ideas and opinions (in his own conceit) ...
Proverbs 26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour
is not seemly for a fool. ... 3 A whip for the horse, a
bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. 4 Answer not a fool
according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool
according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6 He that
sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and
drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable
in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he
that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a
drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that
formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Being told there is more hope for a fool than a man who is wise in his own
eyes is a strong warning against holding on to our own wisdom and depending
on it. Instead of being wise in our own eyes, we are to lay aside our own wisdom and trust in God and in His
wisdom to guide us in each thing we do.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Paul also warned of the wisdom of man, saying we deceive ourselves if we trust in the wisdom of this world and our own wisdom, which is vain and foolishness in the sight of God ...
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you
seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be
wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is
written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The
Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Although we must not trust in our own wisdom, we can safely trust in the wisdom from God which leads in the way of righteousness ...
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.