Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:7 (KJV)

Context

This verse stands within the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, a collection of teachings traditionally attributed to King Solomon. These sayings were written to guide people in practical, godly living. The verse gives a short, direct command that connects a person’s inner attitude with outward behaviour.

Meaning

The first warning, “Be not wise in thine own eyes,” addresses the danger of pride. A person who is wise in his own eyes trusts his own judgment as the highest authority. Such a person becomes unteachable, confident that his perceptions need no correction from God’s word or from faithful counsel. True wisdom is not self-generated; it comes from God, and humility is essential for receiving it.

The second command, “fear the Lord,” is a recurring theme in Proverbs. This fear is not paralyzing terror, nor is it casual respect. It is reverent submission to God’s holiness, authority, and wisdom. A person who fears God recognises that the Lord sees perfectly, judges rightly, and deserves wholehearted obedience.

The third command, “depart from evil,” calls for a decisive turning away from sin. This is more than recognising wrongdoing intellectually; it requires a deliberate change of direction. Reverence must produce a moral response. Biblical wisdom is demonstrated in conduct, choices, relationships, and habits.

Application

This verse offers a practical pattern for decision-making. Begin with humility, test personal assumptions by Scripture, listen to sound correction, and choose the path that honours God. Confidence becomes dangerous when it resists truth, but humility is not indecision. The person who fears the Lord can turn from evil with clarity because God’s wisdom, rather than self-opinion, supplies the standard.

Reflection

The order of the verse matters. Humility before God leads to reverent fear, and reverent fear produces a life that departs from evil. True safety and success are found not in self-confidence but in humble dependence on God. This wisdom is practical for daily life, calling every believer to examine whose judgment guides their choices.