Wise in Your Own Eyes

Eve saw that the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise. She did not resist the temptation of the serpent and ate of the forbidden fruit. She also gave her husband some of the fruit, and he likewise sinned against God (Gen. 3:6). For this transgression, the first man and woman were expelled from the garden (Gen. 3:22-24). Notice how the serpent laid the trap by appealing to the pride of mankind. He said, “God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Gen. 3:5). This claim seems to be the focus of “desirable to make one wise” in verse six. The first sin was largely the result of a desire to be wise in one’s own eyes. It is interesting to consider the other warnings in scripture which utilize similar phrasing.

Proverbs has much to say about the wise and the foolish. The book’s central theme is found in proper fear of the Lord, acknowledging His ability and character as well as looking to Him for instruction (Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33). The command to fear the Lord and depart from evil is tied to the admonition, “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Prov. 3:7). According to God’s Word, there is more hope for a fool than for a prideful person (Prov. 26:12). There are many things which could send someone down this dark path. It is sometimes the misuse of blessings, like where a rich man is wise in his own eyes, trusting in himself above all things (Prov. 28:11). A man who values only his own opinion would also refuse to take advice, which leads to failure (Prov. 11:14; 12:15; 15:22). Therefore, this book of wisdom literature teaches that what a fool sometimes needs most is to be challenged. “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes” (Prov. 26:5). This correction can bring humility before disaster comes.

The prophet Isaiah also provided warnings on this topic. He delivered a teaching poem or song about a vineyard (Isa. 5:1-7). It explained how the Lord had done everything necessary to expect good from the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the men of Judah, but instead He found them corrupt and wicked. The Lord chose to remove their protection and punish them because they had gone in their own way. The Lord of hosts called on foreign armies (Isa. 5:26). With strength and endurance, their arrows and their horses’ hooves would make Judah see their foolishness (Isa. 5:27-30). The prophet’s message was, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isa. 5:21).

May we today have the humility to fear the Lord and trust Him, to lean on the Lord and obey Him (Prov. 3:5). Learn the lesson before it’s too late. Do not be, or even desire to be, wise in your own eyes!