Proverbs 3:7-8
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The verse doesn't just tell us not to be wise in our own eyes, but that this very self-conceit is the opposite of true wisdom. The "fear of the Lord" is presented as the corrective, humbling us to recognize our dependence on God and naturally leading us away from evil.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger exhortation to embrace wisdom and God's commands for a flourishing life. It follows instructions to trust God completely and acknowledge Him in all things, directly contrasting self-reliance with divine guidance. The verses immediately after promise blessings and health as results of fearing the Lord and turning from evil.
Ever felt like you've got it all figured out? This verse warns against that very trap.
The first part of Proverbs 3:7, 'Be not wise in your own eyes,' is a powerful antidote to self-sufficiency. It’s a warning against trusting solely in your own understanding or intellect, believing you have all the answers. True wisdom, the kind that truly matters, acknowledges its limitations and doesn't puff itself up. When we think we’re wise enough on our own, we close ourselves off from God's direction and the wisdom He offers.
What's the secret ingredient to genuine wisdom? It starts with a healthy dose of awe.
Proverbs 3:7 doesn't just tell us what not to do; it gives us the positive path forward: 'fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.' The 'fear of the LORD' isn't about being terrified, but about a deep, reverent awe and respect for God's majesty, power, and holiness. This awe naturally leads to humility and a desire to live rightly. When we truly fear God, we recognize His supreme wisdom and submit to His ways, which is the very essence of wisdom itself. Turning away from evil is the natural outflow of this reverence – actively choosing God's path over sin.
Understand the original words
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chakam · Hebrew Adjective
Describes the state of being wise, prudent, or having insight. In this context, it refers to human-centered intellect or self-sufficiency that lacks divine perspective.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A reverential trust, awe, and obedience toward God. It is the fundamental attitude of a believer that leads to submission to His commands and moral standards.
ra' · Hebrew Noun
Represents moral corruption, wickedness, or anything contrary to the character and commands of God. Turning away from it is an act of repentance and obedience.
This passage directly contrasts those who are wise in their own eyes with the true fear of the Lord, highlighting the danger of self-sufficiency.
Romans 12:16The Apostle Paul echoes this proverb's sentiment, urging believers not to be conceited in their own understanding but to be humble in their interactions.
Job 28:28This verse links the fear of the Lord directly with wisdom, reinforcing Proverbs 3:7's call to revere God as the source of true understanding.
Proverbs 16:6This proverb shows the natural outworking of fearing the Lord: it leads to a turning away from evil, mirroring the second part of Proverbs 3:7.
pulpitProverbs 3:7: "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
Verse 7. - Be not wise in thine own eyes. This admonition carries on the thought from the preceding verses (5, 6), approaching it from a different direction. It is a protest against self-sufficiency, self-conceit, and self-reliance. It says, in effect, "Trust in the Lord, do not trust in yourself." Wisdom, as Michaelis remarks, is to trust in God; to trust in yourself and in your own wisdom is unwisdom. God deno…
ellicottProverbs 3:7: "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
(7) Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.— The same result is reached by Job also ( Proverbs 28:28 ) in his inquiry after wisdom.
The verse doesn't just tell us not to be wise in our own eyes, but that this very self-conceit is the opposite of true wisdom. The "fear of the Lord" is presented as the corrective, humbling us to recognize our dependence on God and naturally leading us away from evil.
This verse is part of a larger exhortation to embrace wisdom and God's commands for a flourishing life. It follows instructions to trust God completely and acknowledge Him in all things, directly contrasting self-reliance with divine guidance. The verses immediately after promise blessings and health as results of fearing the Lord and turning from evil.
This verse is part of a larger exhortation to embrace wisdom and God's commands for a flourishing life. It follows instructions to trust God completely and acknowledge Him in all things, directly contrasting self-reliance with divine guidance. The verses immediately after promise blessings and health as results of fearing the Lord and turning from evil.
"Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." — The verse doesn't just tell us not to be wise in our own eyes, but that this very self-conceit is the opposite of true wisdom. The "fear of the Lord" is presented as the corrective, humbling us to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
