Wise in Your Own Eyes - Proverbs 3:7

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths”, and in chapter three and verse seven of Proverbs Solomon said, “Be not wise in your own eyes” where we read,

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The verse begins, “Be not wise in your own eyes:”. Solomon began with the words, “be not wise” or “do not exist as skillful, learned, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle and shrewd ” “in your own eyes” which means “within your, Solomon's son's, own physical eyes or mental and spiritual faculties”. Solomon told his son not to be skillful and crafty within his own view of himself.

The verse goes on to say, “fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Solomon continued with the words, “fear the LORD” or “revere, be afraid and in awe of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and depart from evil” which means “and turn aside, remove, depose, reject and abolish bad, disagreeableness, that which is displeasing, hurtful, unkind and wicked”. Solomon instructed his son to revere and be in awe of Jehovah God and to reject and turn aside from displeasing and wicked words, acts and deeds.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon directed his son away from being skillful and crafty within his own physical, mental and spiritual capacities. He told him to revere Jehovah God and to separate from wickedness and unkind behavior. Solomon's wisdom came from God, and God wants us to have the best life possible. When we are “wise” in our “own eyes”, we give glory to ourselves and do not credit Jehovah God for His gifts and abilities. (See James 1:17) God loves us, and His plan for our lives includes receiving His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins as our personal “Savior and Lord”. When we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to keep Him in awe and to separate ourselves from every wickedness and wrong.

Next time Solomon shares about, “health to your navel, and marrow to your bones”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".