Do not be wise in your own eyes

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Proverbs 3:7-10
[7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. [8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. [9] Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: [10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

What does Do not be wise in your own opinion mean?
To think that we are wise [in our own thinking…or in our own eyes] is to think that we are something, or that we know something, that was not given us by God.

Psalm 81:11-14 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
11 “But my people did not listen to me. Israel did not obey me. 12 So I let them go their own stubborn way and do whatever they wanted. 13 If my people would listen to me and would live the way I want, 14 then I would defeat their enemies. I would punish those who cause them trouble.

Psalm 81:11 (KJV)
11“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.

Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
16 All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. 17 Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.

Joshua 1:5-9 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.
6 “Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land. 7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What was right in his own eyes?
Judges is a book about APATHY AND APOSTASY! About a time when the chosen people of God turn away from Him and did what was right in their own eyes. … Oh, they knew of God… but did not know Him and His word. They were no longer obedient to Him and did not cling to His ways!

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

What is the meaning of the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?
The Scripture says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom is to depart from evil. That means we must avoid evil, or anything that lures us to do evil or wickedness.

Proverbs 14:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:11-16 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
11 An evil person’s house will be destroyed, but a good person’s family will do well.
12 There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death.
13 Laughter might hide your sadness. But when the laughter is gone, the sadness remains.
14 Evil people will be paid back for the wrong they do, and good people will be rewarded for the good they do.
15 Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.
16 Wise people are careful and avoid trouble; fools are too confident and careless.

True Wisdom
Proverbs 2:6 Context 3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Closing
James 1:5 Context 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.