Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:7
This admonition counters arrogance: “Be not wise in thine own eyes.” It targets self-sufficiency and the illusion that cleverness equals virtue. The fear of the Lord becomes the corrective lens through which wisdom is measured. In ancient culture, pride could mask as wisdom; the text calls for humility before God, recognizing that true wisdom begins with reverence for the divine. “Fear the LORD” is not terror but a reverent, obedient trust. Departing from evil follows as a natural consequence of rightly ordered affections. The verse sits within a larger cluster of proverbs that contrast pride and wisdom with humility and moral integrity. The aim is character formation: a life oriented toward God yields practical righteousness and sound judgment in daily decisions.
The verse ties wisdom to worship. True wisdom cannot be severed from a relationship with God; fear of the Lord becomes the soil in which discernment grows. It reframes knowledge from mere information to ethical orientation. The vow to depart from evil is not passive avoidance but an active reorientation toward righteousness. This theme is echoed in the wisdom literature’s insistence that wisdom is lived out in obedience, justice, and humility rather than secret knowledge or clever schemes. The verse points to a gospel-shaped anthropology: wisdom as a gift that aligns heart and behavior with God’s good purposes.
How to live this out: cultivate humility. Welcome correction; seek accountability; test ideas by Scripture and community wisdom. When tempted to overestimate your insight—pause, ask God to reveal blind spots, and accept guidance that may contradict your preferences. Practice discernment in information overload: evaluate motives, sources, and outcomes before acting. In conversations, choose words that reflect reverence for God and concern for others, rather than vindication of self. The result is a life marked by teachability, moral clarity, and a willingness to change course when God reveals a better path.
Cross-References: Proverbs 1:7; James 3:13-18; Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 25:9; Job 28:28