Proverbs 13.10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
The word translated “insolence” in this verse is the Hebrew word zadon, the same word that is translated “pride” in the Proverbs 11.12 verse that we read in yesterday’s devotional. Again, it means arrogance. It describes people who will not listen to advice, teaching, or correction.
Zadon people—arrogant people—think they know better than anyone else. They are their own reference point. Arrogant people create tension, strife, and stress in relationships and organizations. They are difficult to talk to and almost impossible to work with. Because they are self-deceived, arrogant people lack self-awareness.
On the other side are those who are open to instruction and correction; people open to new ideas and different perspectives. These are humble people, and their humility gives them access to wisdom. Humble people are confident, but they aren’t arrogant. They are easy to talk to and a joy to work with. They have high confidence and low ego.
It is a core principle of the kingdom: Arrogance distorts, deceives, and eventually destroys.
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant (zadon) one, declares the Lord God of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. The arrogant (zadon) shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up.” (Jeremiah 50:31-32).
A great curse on humanity is man’s arrogant confidence in his own opinions. It is a severe handicap for a person to allow their opinions and thoughts to go unchallenged and unchecked in their mind. Under the intoxicating influence of zadon, people make disastrous blunders in life. Proverbs 16.25 issues this warning: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
The central challenge is this: Don’t believe everything you think. Don’t get caught in the gravitational pull of self-centeredness. Effective thinking and decision-making requires wisdom, and that requires you to untether from your ego.
Seek humility, not arrogance.
