Wise in Your Own Conceit - Proverbs 26:12

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse twelve of Proverbs Solomon asked, “see you a man wise in his own conceit?” where we read,

See you a man wise in his own conceit?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.

The verse begins, “See you a man wise in his own conceit?” Solomon began with the words, “see you a man” or “do you, Solomon's readers and listeners, observe, perceive and regard a person whether male or female” “wise in his own conceit” which means “skilled, shrewd and prudent within his, the person's, own personal eye or mental and spiritual faculties”? Solomon asked whether his readers and listeners perceived a person who considered themselves skilled, shrewd and prudent. 

The verse continues, “there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Solomon added the words, “there is more hope” or “there exists a greater and more abundant expectation for an outcome” “of a fool” which means “belonging to an arrogant dullard, simpleton or foolish person” “than of him” or “compared to him, the person who is wise in their own conceit”. Solomon said a greater expectation exists for an arrogant simpleton than for the person who considers themselves “wise”by their own cognition. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people who believe themselves to be “skilled, shrewd and prudent” within their own mind have less expectation for a good outcome than an arrogant dullard. God wants us to have confidence in Him, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to find our wisdom and confidence in our relationship with Him. 

Next time Solomon says, “the slothful man says, there is a lion in the way”, 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".