Proverbs 3

Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)
" Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

One thing that is easy in this life, is to not trust anybody and to only trust yourself. Although sometimes you might be justified to not trust a particular person because of some past event, have you ever asked yourself why you so confidently trust your own self?

In Proverbs, King Solomon by way of the Holy Spirit warns us that we should not be wise in our own eyes and instead fear the Lord. You see we tend to, when faced with opportunity or trial, lean on our own understanding and comprehension of the situation. We ask ourselves what would be the best decision to make. Now I understand how easy it is to do this. I mean if anybody is going to make a decision for me, that would be best for me and my life, it would be me! But is this right? It is true that God gave us a mind of our own and the ability to think on our own but was it to be self reliant and independent. I think if we were honest with ourselves we would say that most of the decisions we made on our own did not really work out in the greatest way possible. God wants us, like it says in Proverbs, to not be wise in our own eyes or self but Fear the Lord. To unpack that verse, God is saying we should be knowledgeable of who we serve and worship or who He is and who we are. He is the almighty Counselor and creator of the universe. He holds our lives in His hand. Knowing who He is should in return create a "Fear" or awe in your soul (that is if you truly believe it in your heart). That awe is what Proverbs says is the beginning of all wisdom. Knowing who He is and who we are don't you think it is much wiser to lean on his understanding, his aid and support ?
The world teaches that we should all be self confident in the decisions we make and who we are and that self confidence is king. But when we see the fruits of this model of life all we see is, people in debt a country in debt, fatherless/motherless children and leaderless families. If we want to continue to have these results in our lives than all you have to do is continue in the direction of the world. If you are one who fills called to a higher standard then do what God says. "Be not wise in your eyes" trust in God, being entirely confident in who He is and not who you are. As Proverbs goes on to say this will remove you far from death and evil and will "bring refreshment to your bones." If you like Jesus trust in the Father instead of your self you will be truly refreshed at rest and renewed. This is the beginning of Knowledge and the end of sin. Get your eyes removed from the idol of self and towards the Heavens.

Thank you and my God cause you to have a deep hunger for the things of righteousness.

Pastor Chris
Youth Pastor of RiverWalk Fellowship