Talking a Walk Thru Proverbs

The Arrogant & the Wise

“The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, but a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.”– Proverbs 12:15Amplified Bible

Let us define some words:

arrogant - displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance; having a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others

wise / prudent-  Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; Exhibiting common sense. / exercising good judgment; wisdom in practical matters (such as “making a prudent investment”.)

            Arrogant, foolish men and women can at times stare right in the eyes of danger and not recognize it for what it is. That is the person scripture speaks of in the above verse and also in Proverbs 14:12 (“There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.”). The real danger is not what lies in front of you, but rather your inability to seek counsel to make wise decisions. No one except God himself knows everything that can be known. Those who feel they know all they need to know and trust their own instincts over the instincts of someone other than themselves are heading for a fall. 

            Those who exercise wisdom and prudence in their decision making are to be commended. They are not afraid to have an exchange of pertinent ideas and never concerned about discarding their ideas in favor of someone who may have been where you are going. Some folks, whether Christian or non-Christian, can be trusted and some cannot. We need to use spiritual discernment to determine whose advice we should listen to and whose we should not.

            Proverbs 19:20 - “Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction that you may be wise in the time to come.” Proverbs 15:22 - “Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they are established and succeed.” We can’t know everything, but if several trusted men or women of God pool their spiritual resources we have a greater chance of finding the mind of God regarding the matter. Matthew 7:7 - “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” God wants to honor your requests and fulfill your wishes, but first we must exhibit the propensity to seek his wisdom and choose rightly based not on what we think we know but what God has revealed to us in his Word. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

Resources:www.thehub.com; www.biblegateway.com; The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

Bible Version Used: The Amplified Bible.