Perhaps the best known Proverb that can be recited by many is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3: 5-6).
According to this bit of heavenly advice we are not to trust ourselves when mowing the lawn or taking a hike. We must get all knowledge from a heavenly source. Obviously this is not what it means based on other Scriptures. Metal workers, carpenters and masons are found in the Old Testament. They must lean on their own understanding based on the gifts and talents God has gifted them with. The Bible never tells us what we already know.
I heard this statement years ago. Revelation is what God wants man to know that he could otherwise not know. The understanding God is talking about is the battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. This evil trinity is after us day after day. To lean on our own understanding is to trust our fleshly desires and passions. Anyone who leans on their own understanding is being discipled by a fool.
Revelation is what God wants man to know that he could otherwise not know. Share on XHere are some famous bits of worldly advice that keep this world in bondage by leaning on its own understanding.
“To thine own self be true” (Shakespeare).
“Follow your heart.”
“I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul” (Invictus).
“If it feels good, do it” (humanity at large).
“What the mind can conceive you can achieve.” More nonsense.
This is the wisdom of the world which God considers foolish. “Hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20).
Our human understanding comes from our fallen nature and needs a 180 which only comes from the truth. And
that is the truth we must lean on. Don’t worry, it is rock solid.
While leaning on my own understanding I reached out to a very old friend of over fifty years and presented my dilemma. I desperately wanted to understand the ways of God which were frustrating to me. Keep in mind my friend had experienced tragedy after tragedy. He had learned some things about God in the midst of his sorrow that few will understand. Here sis what he said to me which I keep on my desk and read daily.
However, there is an important truth at play here and it is this: Trust and understanding are polar opposites. As long as we are seeking to understand that which we cannot understand, we will not trust and increase in faith.
As long as we are seeking to understand that which we cannot understand, we will not trust and increase in faith. Share on XTrust is a decision to make each day when we don’t understand. This has been life changing advice for me as I am a very curious person and want all the answers to every question. Several Scriptures back this up.
“The secret things belong to the Lord” (Deut. 29:29).
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).
“How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33b)