Proverbs 21.1
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
Arrogance is dangerous. And because we tend to be self-oriented, arrogance is easy to fall into. We all have a tendency to be “right in our own eyes.” However, we must understand—as the book of Proverbs teaches—that arrogance is the way of a fool, whereas humility is the way of wisdom.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11.2)
The word for pride here is the Hebrew zadon. It refers to arrogance and self-centered pride that rejects God’s standards and authority. This kind of pride is marked by an inflated sense of personal authority (“I am in charge of things around here.”), a rebellious disobedience (“I don’t have to listen to you!”) and willful selfishness (“It’s my life. I can do what I want.”).
Zadon—arrogance and selfishness—is the spirit of our time. Many people live and work in willful disregard for God’s standards and principles. They act not on the basis of timeless truth, but on the basis of personal preference and popular narrative.
This proverb issues a profound challenge because it says that even though we arrogantly think we are right, “the Lord weighs the heart.” In other words, God sees our true motives. He knows our innermost thoughts. He knows that even though outwardly we may arrogantly claim to be right, inwardly we aren’t nearly as confident.
God knows when we are trying to rationalize a bad decision. He knows when we are trying to deceive or dominate people.
Zadon has been institutionalized in American society. Many of the culture-shaping institutions of our nation operate in open disregard for and defiance of God’s principles. Judeo-Christian principles are dismissed and marginalized in most of our social institutions. People and institutions in our time arrogantly believe they know better than God.
Scripture says that arrogance / zadon eventually produces disgrace. The Hebrew word for disgrace is qalon, and it means “shame or dishonor.” This is what inevitably happens as a result of arrogant disregard for God’s standards.
The wise person is humble and submits to the direction and correction of the Lord. It is what the prophet Micah says: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
Approach everything in your life with this mindset. At home, at work, in the community … seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4.6
