August 13, 2017 (Proverbs 28:26)

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom in kept safe” (Prov 28:26). The message here is one found repeatedly throughout the scriptures in general and in the book of Proverbs specifically. It is telling us to trust in the ways of God and to not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5,6). It is telling us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death (14:12). It is the basic theme of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:1,2 where we are told to place trust in ourselves on the altar as a sacrifice to God and stop conforming to the ways of the world, instead allowing ourselves to become transformed by the renewing of our minds which equates to walking in the wisdom of God. One of the greatest obstacles we must overcome is that of depending upon common sense which is simply another way of trusting in ourselves. While common sense is a gift of God, it must always be submitted to the authority of God’s will as revealed in the word of God. Like the angels who joined Lucifer in rebellion and were thrown out of heaven because they misused their gift of free will (‘Revelation 12), we too have free will to choose our own path in life. Like Adam, we’re always faced with two trees: one representing the will of God and offering eternal life in the presence of our Creator; the other tree representing refusal to walk in the wisdom of God that is assured to keep us safe. The “tree of life,” now located in heaven for the faithful and obedient bride of Christ (Revelation 22:2,14), will never be available for those choosing in earthly life to trust in themselves instead of placing their obedient faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.