My last two blog posts conflicted with each other. Two weeks ago, we dealt with the issue of self-conscious humility. Though it sounds strange, claiming you’re humble isn’t a contradiction in terms. (It could be a lie or a mistake, but it’s not always a contradiction!) Jesus, Paul, and the Ephesian church recognized their own humility. This assertion makes sense when you realize that humility is a virtue and virtues are gifts from God. They’re not accomplishments that we can brag about.
Last week, we tried to apply this principle to wisdom, but it didn’t work out. The Bible lists several warnings about regarding oneself as a wise soul.
Something’s wrong here. If virtues are gifts and wisdom is a virtue, then acknowledging one’s wisdom isn’t arrogant. If I can declare myself humble, why can’t I consider myself wise? What’s the difference?
God directed me to a clue when I noticed that the phrase, “wise in your own eyes,” kept popping up in several verses.
This idiom seems to be the key to resolving the problem. There’s something about being wise in your own eyes that’s unacceptable to God and unhealthy for us. But what?
Self-deception.
Read through the following verses. You’ll appreciate that everyone mentioned is fooling themselves with unfounded confidence. The contrasts within each Scripture highlight this.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” – Proverbs 3:7
A so-called wise person neglects to fear God and avoid evil thoughts, words, and deeds. No one who ignores the ways of the Lord is prudent.
“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” – Proverbs 26:5
Mature people have the responsibility to correct a fool lest he stick to his risky beliefs and imperil himself.
“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” – Proverbs 26:12
Solomon illustrates how threatening self-deception can be. Someone caught up in what he thinks he’s figured out is impervious to reproof. Even a buffoon has a better future than that smug soul!
“The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.” – Proverbs 28:11
A few people without much status can see right through the thin reasoning of the self-satisfied successful. It doesn’t dawn on these rich folk that their wealth, and the ability to make money, are gifts from God. What they have is great–for the moment. But can it last?
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” – Isaiah 5:21
Those who congratulate themselves for their insight are on the verge of judgment and they don’t even know it. So it doesn’t occur to them to prepare themselves. And in the end, they’ll be caught off guard.
“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” – Romans 1:22-23
Paul doesn’t use the exact phrase, but he refers to the same issue when he comments on the moral decline of the Gentile world. The people who stoop to worshiping the works of their own hands believe that these acts of degradation are somehow shrewd. To turn from the Creator and bow down to something they themselves made is intelligent? Really?
When God’s Word counsels us to not see ourselves as wise, it’s not denying the grace-based nature of virtue. Rather, the Bible is pointing to a character flaw we all have. Each one of us is capable of fooling ourselves. Unaided by the Holy Spirit, we believe what we want to. The end result? Governing ourselves according to unrealistic and treacherous ideas.
But there’s good news! Of course there is; that’s what the gospel is all about! Through God’s grace, Jesus is now our wisdom. To the degree we trust Him, we’re wise.
“To those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:24
“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30
We grow in wisdom–we become wise–when we look to the Lord Jesus and listen to Him. That’s not self-deception; it’s liberation! In Christ we have the security of knowing that God will reveal to us our ignorance, not to shame us, but to prepare us for the education of a lifetime!
Recent Comments