Proverbs 3:7

7 Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart from all evil.

Proverbs 3:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in thine own eyes
So as to act independently of God; not to trust in him, nor acknowledge him, nor seek to him for help and direction; nor ask nor take the advice of others; but, being conceited and self-sufficient, lean to thine own understanding, as being wise enough to conduct all affairs in life by thy own discretion; and in matters of religion wiser than thy teachers, and even than the Scriptures, being wise above that which is written; pleasing thyself with thine own wisdom, as exceeding others; glorying in it as thine own acquisition, and not ascribing it to God, so far as it any ways deserves the name of wisdom; though for the most part that which men glory in, and are conceited of, is not wisdom, but folly; and at least it is their folly to boast of it and be elated with it; see ( Isaiah 5:21 ) ( Romans 12:16 ) ; fear the Lord;
which is true wisdom; and, where this is not, there is none, let men be ever so conceited; and where this is there is humility; these two go together, and make a man wise, rich, and honourable, ( Proverbs 22:4 ) . The fear of the Lord is opposed to pride, high-mindedness, and vain conceit, ( Romans 11:20 ) ; this includes reverence of God, faith in him, dependence on him, acknowledgment of him, seeking to him for direction, and carefulness not to offend him; and depart from evil;
from the evil of self-confidence and self-conceit, and from all other evil; the fear of God influences men to avoid sin, and abstain from all appearance of it; by means and through the exercise of it men forsake it, and keep at a distance from it, ( Proverbs 16:6 ) . Nehemiah could not do as others did, because of the fear of the Lord; and Job was a man that feared God, and therefore he avoided that which was evil, ( Nehemiah 5:15 ) ( Job 1:1 ) .

Proverbs 3:7 In-Context

5 Trust in God with all thine heart; and be not exalted in thine own wisdom.

6 In all thy ways acquaint thyself with her, that she may rightly direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart from all evil.

8 Then shall there be health to thy body, and good keeping to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy just labours, and give him the first of thy fruits of righteousness: