Do Not Be Right in Your Own Eyes

We tend to look at people or situations and form strong judgements about them. We look at their behaviour and predict what’s wrong, or why they are behaving in a certain way. We think we understand.

We look at a problem and think that we know everything. Then, when the situations look impossible or things are not working out our way, we start to feel angry and upset. Our heart & mind becomes very troubled, and we begin to worry.

As human, we often focus on our own limitations & how big the problem is. We think within the box! We forget that our Father in Heaven is the King. He owns the whole world, and He is GREAT!”

That’s exactly why Jesus teaches us to change our minds. He wants us to think out of the box!

Proverbs 3:7 tells us:
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

What does this mean?

1) Do not be wise in your own eyes

-Stop thinking that you know everything.
-Admit that you have your limitations & ask Jesus for help
-Believe that your Father (the Lord) knows more than you
-Trust that your Father will take care of you. You're His child. He loves you!

Why do we need to do this?

Because if we are wise in our own eyes, we will think inside the box. We will think, “My problem is so big! This is the only way to settle it! I know how to handle it.”

Then, when things don’t work out, we will begin to get frustrated with life, and feel that everything is hopeless. We will lose our peace, and it will affect our day. It will affect our relationship with our loved ones. We won’t be able to love with our best. We can’t eat & sleep well. Our heart affects our whole life. Even if God sends the solutions, we might miss it because our mind is so troubled!

But when our heart is settled with peace & love, we can think clearly. We will be able to see the solution to our problem when God shows us. That’s why Jesus keeps telling us to trust Him, and not our own wisdom.

2) Fear the Lord

The verse goes on to say, “Fear the Lord…” Meaning:
-Fear God only! Don’t be scared of your enemies, people who are trying to harm you, or your problem.
-Respect the fact that God is in control! (even if the problem seems out of control).
-Don’t get upset with God. God is good all the time. The Devil throws problems at us, to break us from believing God. But when we still TRUST Jesus, the Devil becomes the loser, and we become the winner!

3) Turn away from evil

-Don’t follow the ways of the evil ways of the world in handling problems, with revenge, hatred & selfishness. This makes us the loser.
-Keep your heart right at all times – filled with love, forgiveness & acceptance. Then, you will win!
-Don’t worry! Worry is a sin!
-Don’t let your heart be troubled. Have peace.
-When you don’t believe in the Lord’s greatness, this is the greatest evil & sin in your life! (if you don’t believe in Jesus’ power, this is an insult to Him because it means you think you’re smarter than God.)

Remember this, when things happen in your life:

· When God wants to teach you PATIENCE, He will allow delays so you learn how to WAIT.

· When God wants to teach you COURAGE, He will allow scary things to happen, so you learn to be BRAVE.

· When God wants to teach you PEACE & JOY, He will allow mind troubling problems so you learn how to BE HAPPY & LET YOUR HEART NOT TO BE TROUBLED.

· When God wants to teach you LOVE, He will allow people to hurt you so you learn how to FORGIVE.

· When God wants to teach you FAITH, He will allow things to happen which are beyond your capability, so you learn how to BELIEVE IN HIM.

Jesus does not think like us. He thinks & acts out of the box! The bigger our problem, the bigger our chance to experience God’s greatness!

We will truly experience God’s power & the solution to our problems, when we learn the meaning of “Do not be right in your own eyes.”