“…do not be wise in your own estimation.” Romans 12:16c
This is the second article in a three-part series regarding being wise in our own eyes. The goal of these articles is to help us check our hearts regarding whether we have become proud in our thinking. And so, the second biblical mark of one who is wise in their own eyes is that they are obstinate and self-willed.
What does that mean? They are stubbornly unwilling to be convinced out of their opinions, but instead they act upon them without seeking wisdom.
To make this helpful, we’ll consider the two ideas separately, starting with obstinate. Now, there are a lot of words that are close synonyms for this idea. For example, the word unteachable would identify a person who will not listen to teachers. Or the word stubborn, which would indicate person who digs in their heels against wisdom. But I like obstinate because it basically means that a person is impossible to appeal to.
Consider James 3:17. James tells us that God’s wisdom—the wisdom from above—is marked by a number of important aspects. Obviously, if we are rejecting God’s wisdom, what are we doing? Clinging to our own, and we won’t be the things that James lists in this verse. He tells us that God’s wisdom is marked by being:
Pure - innocent, clean
Peaceable - desirous of making peace between others
Gentle - kind, tender
But the fourth aspect of God’s wisdom is the kicker. James says that God’s wisdom is reasonable - the word in Greek is eupetheis. It’s a compound word from the word for ‘easy’ and the word for ‘persuade’. Easily persuaded.
In other words, when it comes to non-biblical issues, this person is willing to listen and be persuaded. But a person who is wise in their own eyes is implacable, stubborn and obstinate about their opinion. They won’t be convinced.
But we can also consider the second idea as well - self-willed.
This term is used of elder qualifications in the Titus 1:7, and it’s closely related to being obstinate. However, obstinance deals with the inner person, while being self-willed deals with decisions. This is a person who, because of their obstinate heart, charges ahead, thinking they know the right answer, without seeking wisdom from other people. They act without thinking.
In Proverbs 12:15, Solomon says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” The word ‘listen’ here is to listen and OBEY. It’s the word shema in Hebrew - the word that starts the daily prayer - of Deut. 6:4 - ‘Hear O Israel’. A person who is wise in his own eyes will refuse counsel, and choose to do what he pleases in a rush.
On the contrary, a humble person will seek out and listen to others. He won’t cut people off in conversation, or scoff at the opinions of others. If someone gives him advice, he will be quick to consider it based on biblical principles, rather than just rejecting it.
So - are you obstinate and self-willed? Would the people around you say that you’re easy to appeal to, and that you seek out counsel? Or would they say that you’re hard to appeal to, and that you rush ahead with decisions in haste?
If you find yourself in the second category (and we all do, don’t we?) what should you do? The danger of ‘trying’ to be humble is always present. Instead, simply trust God. Jesus died for the obstinate and self-willed hearts of His people. Those sins have been paid in full.
When you trust the love of Christ for you, revealed in His death, your heart will rest in Him, and will be free to heed the thoughts and opinions of others!
