Proverbs 26—Do Not Be a Sluggard or a Fool

We tend to curve in toward self-reliance. We trust in our own perspective. We depend upon our own understanding. We know what’s best for us, we believe. We are wise but only in our own eyes.

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12

Solomon warns against the man who is wise in his own eyes. There is more hope for a fool than a man who is wise by his own assessment.

Several examples are given in Proverbs 26 to illustrate how absurd it is to be wise in your own eyes. It’s like snow in the summer or rain during harvest (verse 1). A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a lame man having legs—it’s useless (verse 7). If you hire a passing fool or drunkard, you are like an archer who wounds everyone (verse 10). A person wise in his own eyes—who repeats his folly—is like a dog that returns to its vomit (verse 11).

Solomon describes how dangerous it is to be a fool who is wise in his own eyes. A fool is in a dire place. Nearly hopeless. Like a whip for a horse or a bridle for a donkey, it takes a rod for the fool’s back (verse 3). It’s absurd to even answer a fool. If you even answer a fool, you become like him. You stray into folly to even entertain a conversation. Answer a fool in his folly and your interaction reinforces his own self-perspective about his own assumed wisdom. If you trust a fool and send a message by him, you cut off your own feet or drink violence (verse 6).

This description of the danger of a fool is a serious warning. Anytime. All the time.

But especially grief. Grief sets you up for danger.

Be warned. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Guard against self-reliance. There is more hope for a fool than for you if you are wise in your own eyes. Stand alert. Grief is the perfect storm for your adversary to attack you. You are already vulnerable. We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Again, grief makes you more vulnerable. So, be vigilant.

Instead, humble yourself and seek after wisdom. Humble yourself to the counsel of trusted advisers. Humble yourself before the instructions, commandments, statutes, and wisdom of God.

“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” Proverbs 26:16

Do not be a sluggard. Do not be lazy. Do not set yourself up as wise in your own eyes and ignore the ways of God. Sluggards are like hinges in a bed as they turn back and forth for more sleep (verse 14). Sluggards are lazy. They can put their hand in a dish but cannot bring it out to their mouths to enjoy the food (verse 15). It’s just too much effort for them.

Do not be wise in your own eyes. Do not be a fool. Do not be a sluggard.

Instead, be vigilant and alert and seek after wisdom.