What does it mean to not be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:7)?

Answer

In Proverbs 3, Solomon encourages his son to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. In verse 5, Solomon advises to trust the Lord rather than relying on one’s own understanding. In verse 7, he states, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil” (NKJV). Those who consider themselves wise do not fear or rely on the Lord. Instead, they believe that they possess all the necessary wisdom within themselves.

Being wise in your own eyes implies that you believe your own understanding is superior. You believe you have everything figured out and disregard any advice, often following the motto “it’s my way or the highway.” Considering yourself wise in your own eyes means being self-reliant and self-sufficient in your own view, even rejecting assistance from God. This attitude reflects pride, which Proverbs 16:18 warns precedes destruction. It is only a matter of time before a prideful individual who sees themselves as wise faces ruin or falls under God’s judgment. The Bible refers to someone who sees themselves as wise as a fool (Proverbs 12:15;Romans 1:22)—a compelling reason not to trust in your own understanding.

Severe consequences await those who believe they are wise in their own eyes «Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight! », (Isaiah 5:21). The caution against esteeming ourselves as wise is for our own good. The account of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 demonstrates the folly of considering oneself wise and glorious. King Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his great power and attributed the success of Babylon to his own wisdom and might (verses 29–30). While the words were still in his mouth, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity, was driven away from society, and ate grass like an ox, just as God had foretold (verses 31–33). Nebuc

Nebuchadnezzar remained in that state until he acknowledged, “that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (verse 25). Nebuchadnezzar learned a powerful lesson. After his sanity returned, the king proclaimed, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (verse 37).

It is wise to heed Scripture’s warnings: “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them” «Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.», (Proverbs 26:12). Yet there is great hope for the one who returns to the Lord «Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee;», (Zechariah 9:12). We need to see ourselves as we are. This requires humility, which requires that we realize we are not God and recognize that everything we have is from God «For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if you had not received it?», (1 Corinthians 4:7). We know that we are not wise in and of ourselves, and we trust in the One who actually is.

God gives wisdom through His Word and through His discipline. “Do not be wise in your own eyes” is not just a rule of etiquette or a personal improvement tip; it is a principle of godliness designed for our good. To those who are not wise in their own eyes and who choose to fear the Lord, there is a promise: “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” «It shall be health to thy navel, A

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones., (Proverbs 3:8).