A proverb of the Bible says,
“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov 26:12).
Of Proverbs 26:12, an often “heady” Word Biblical Commentary says,“This is an astounding proverb. Are there degrees of folly? And is there a degree of folly that is simply off the graph? And can this folly be that of the sage who would lay claim to wisdom? These questions would seem to be justified, even implied, by v 12.”
Yet the same inspired book of Proverbs also says, “Happy is the person who finds wisdom, and the one that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her” (Prov 3:13-15).
Seems to me that, at the very minimum, this is saying that we are foolish to value any material possession more than wisdom—and even more foolish to pursue wisdom in a way that causes us to feel proud of what we think we know.
Apparently there is a way of pursuing wisdom that deepens our realism.
Would love to hear a discussion of how we can pursue knowledge, understanding and wisdom without developing an inflated sense of our insight in the process.
For openers, would committing ourselves to a “spirituality” and “theology of listening” move us in the right direction?
For example would:
Listening to God to the point of realizing that we were made to know him– but that– at the most– whatever we know of him is like first grade in school (Isa 40:25-31; Isa 55:8-9).
Listening to our own heart to the point of realizing that “knowing ourselves” is essential to understanding our own motives– but that– at the most– what we can know of our own hearts is that they are far more self-deceiving than we could ever measure (Jer 17:9).
Listening to one another to the point of understanding how quick we are to jump to the wrong conclusions– but that– at the most– what we can know about one another is like agreeing to hold up flashlights to our own faces in the dark.
Listening to wise counselors to deal with difficult issues is safer than going on our own instincts– but that– at the most– many wise counselors show us how much we need to depend on the Lord for his leading, provision, insight, and protection…. to avoid the blindness of being “wise in our own eyes” (Prov 11:14; Prov 3:5-7).
(+70 rating, 71 votes)
Loading...