He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Trusting one's own heart is foolish because the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, deeply corrupt at its core. People are naturally inclined to trust their hearts, assume they are good, and think too well of themselves. Self-love gives a higher opinion of self than is warranted, so feelings and the heart are unsafe guides and personal judgment and a flattering view of self cannot be relied upon.
Following the heart's inclinations and one's own wisdom and resources, instead of resisting temptation from its first approach and seeking God's counsel, leaves a person open to self-deception, sin, and deception by Satan. That course leads toward destruction, and toward disappointment, shame, and confusion.
Such self-trust is not made safe by outward religious profession, duties, forms, praying, fasting, appearing godly, or mere self-assurance, which cannot prove the heart is right. Those who follow the heart may mistake worldly pleasures and religious appearances for good. They may persuade themselves they are safe and even God's children while corrupt at heart, become self-deceived about salvation, and by their profession be used to mislead others.
The verse applies to one who refuses instruction, rejects the counsel of older people, and respects no one but himself. It applies also to those who yield to worldly amusements, pleasures, tastes, habits, customs, and principles. Such influences deaden spiritual life, make the mind unfit for serious thought about heavenly things, lower the standard of Christian duty, and lead away from Christ.
Walking wisely means not relying on personal judgment but living in continual dependence on God's Word, providence, truth, and guidance. It means staying closely connected with God, fearing, loving, and obeying Him, living for His glory and founded on Christ. It means separating from the world and letting Jesus take possession of the soul, and resisting temptation from its first approach rather than trusting feelings or excuses.
Whoever walks wisely shall be delivered to safety from snares that lead to destruction and from the soul-ensnaring schemes of Satan. This requires honest, searching, impartial self-examination of thoughts, character, words, and actions. That examination must be made in the light of God's law and Word and the cross of Christ revealed therein, asking God to show defects rather than be deceived by sin and Satan's devices.
Trusting one's own heart is foolish because the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, deeply corrupt at its core. People are naturally inclined to trust their hearts, assume they are good, and think too well of themselves. Self-love gives a higher opinion of self than is warranted, so feelings and the heart are unsafe guides and personal judgment and a flattering view of self cannot be relied upon.
Following the heart's inclinations and one's own wisdom and resources, instead of resisting temptation from its first approach and seeking God's counsel, leaves a person open to self-deception, sin, and deception by Satan. That course leads toward destruction, and toward disappointment, shame, and confusion.
Such self-trust is not made safe by outward religious profession, duties, forms, praying, fasting, appearing godly, or mere self-assurance, which cannot prove the heart is right. Those who follow the heart may mistake worldly pleasures and religious appearances for good. They may persuade themselves they are safe and even God's children while corrupt at heart, become self-deceived about salvation, and by their profession be used to mislead others.
The verse applies to one who refuses instruction, rejects the counsel of older people, and respects no one but himself. It applies also to those who yield to worldly amusements, pleasures, tastes, habits, customs, and principles. Such influences deaden spiritual life, make the mind unfit for serious thought about heavenly things, lower the standard of Christian duty, and lead away from Christ.
Walking wisely means not relying on personal judgment but living in continual dependence on God's Word, providence, truth, and guidance. It means staying closely connected with God, fearing, loving, and obeying Him, living for His glory and founded on Christ. It means separating from the world and letting Jesus take possession of the soul, and resisting temptation from its first approach rather than trusting feelings or excuses.
Whoever walks wisely shall be delivered to safety from snares that lead to destruction and from the soul-ensnaring schemes of Satan. This requires honest, searching, impartial self-examination of thoughts, character, words, and actions. That examination must be made in the light of God's law and Word and the cross of Christ revealed therein, asking God to show defects rather than be deceived by sin and Satan's devices.