“I’ve Got This” – Proverbs in Practice
We’d agree, former procrastinators, that seven men who give a sensible answer form a pretty solid body of counsel. But the sluggard thinks he knows better than they do.
“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” Prov 26:16
He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. He thinks he’s right even though his thoughts, opinions, conclusions stand in opposition to those of others with proven records of good sense.
King James says, “The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” “Reason” comes from a root meaning “taste or perceive.” The seven men are able to taste and perceive and thus render advice, judgment, reason, understanding. The sluggard’s taster or perceiver is “off.”
We usually associate slothfulness with lack of action. Here, the writer addresses thinking. Action or inaction comes from the kind of perceiving or thinking we do.
Why does a sluggard think he knows all he needs to – and better than anybody else? Maybe he believes it. Maybe he’s making an excuse to delay. Maybe if he thinks he knows better than others, then he can determine what needs doing when. Maybe he’s unwilling to exert the effort to learn wisdom so he endorses his own opinion. Maybe he dreads hearing truth and dealing with it.
What is the antidote to the sluggard’s exalted opinion of himself? Humility.
It takes humility for us to learn and grow, to mature. It takes humility to recognize others know more than we do and to actually seek their counsel. Humility improves our ability to taste and perceive. As a teacher told a student, “Part of learning is seeking and getting help.” A diligent person does that.
We do not have to “know it all.” There’s no requirement to have all knowledge or wisdom in ourselves. In fact, Scripture tells us we don’t have those; it tells us to seek them. We’re at fault if we’re not working to gain wisdom and knowledge.
Why does scripture mention this as a trait of a sluggard? It points out another way sluggards reveal themselves and what perceptions might be behind their laziness. It teaches me to avoid being that way myself, and to be alert in case I’m interacting with a sluggard.
Proverbs 28:26 says “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
Beware the “know-it-all.” Beware being a “know-it-all.” Turn to those who give sensible answers. Act on the council of wisdom and enjoy it’s fruit.
In what area do you recognize the need to seek wisdom from others?
