Musing – How Dangerous is it to Know that You Are Right?

 Hebraic Musing – How Dangerous is it to Know that You Are Right?

There is a danger of thinking one is right on the basis of one’s own opinion; and therefore leaves no room for hearing the opinions of others.  One might deprive oneself of receiving counsel and wisdom from those wiser than oneself.  There is a consistent theme in Proverbs warning of the danger of thinking we are right in our own eyes. 

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:7 NIV

“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26:5

“A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.”  Proverbs 28:11 NIV

In our sinful nature, each of us tends to think of ourselves as wise.  But where did Jesus’ brother, James, say to find the heavenly source of wisdom?  “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:14-17 NIV

And there is another classic example in Jeremiah when the LORD sternly warned the people, “I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.”  And the people responded, “It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.”  Do we sometimes hold our own plans above the plans the LORD has for us? 

According to King Solomon, wisdom is gained from God, “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6   Are we exalting ourselves when we declare “I am right”?

Here’s a concluding Proverb with actionable advice.  “If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!” Proverb 30:32  Do we need to learn when to “shut-up”?

And the final conclusion, “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”  Proverbs 26:12   We need to think twice before claiming to “know-it-all”!

Points to ponder

When I or someone else is called a “Wise Guy”, this adds more meaning!

If you are like me, you hate being proven wrong.  Solution...Don’t try to be a “Know-it-all.”

Open mindedness is considered a typical personality trait of wise individuals.
(But I’ve met people so open minded their brains were falling out!)

How to get Good Judgement? ... Experience.
How to get Experience? ... Bad Judgement.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” Luke 6:37

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       November 29, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

Note – Inspired by message from Michael Galvin, a relative & Army Chaplain veteran