Proverbs 3:5: "and lean not unto thine own understanding"?

[Ave Maria]

[bible]Proverbs 3:5[/bible]

Ok, my question is about the last part of the verse that says "and lean not unto thine own understanding." Exactly what does this mean? Are we not allowed to use our own minds when studying the Bible? Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Also, below is the entire proverb in context:

[bible]Proverbs 3:5-6[/bible]

 

[jj_3737]

Ok, my question is about the last part of the verse that says "and lean not unto thine own understanding." Exactly what does this mean? Are we not allowed to use our own minds when studying the Bible?

"And lean not unto thine own understanding", which is meant, do not put your faith in it, for your own understanding is deceitfully wicked above all things. Your thoughts are not the thoughts of the Lord (Isa 55:8), and cannot be trusted. Man, being carnally minded, is at enmity with God and has no understanding of spiritual things. He, that is man, is double-minded and unstable in all his ways. The mind of man, in its unregenerate state, denies Christ, and cannot comprehend the spiritual realm. It cannot see that which is spiritual is actually more real than that which is carnal. God cannot be known or approached intellectually, for, “…If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” – 1Co 3:18. For God gives grace unto the humble (1Pet 5:5). Seek the Lord on all things, especially those pertaining to His Word, and have a teachable spirit that is open to correction and reproof, but is unmovable, and founded upon the Rock: Jesus Christ. Use your mind, when given the mind of Christ, but know in full assurance that in you, and in me (i.e. in our flesh), dwells no good thing, for the good that I would, I do not: but evil which I would not, that I do, for when I would do good, evil is present with me. You are allowed to use your mind to study the Bible, but do not trust in your mind as the fountainhead of truth. Your mind is darkened by sin, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” – Jn 1:5. So therefore, “…let God be true, but every man a liar…” – Ro 3:4.

-jj

 

[HumbleBee]

Not leaning unto one's own understanding is an admonishment to not depend only on yourself, your own knowledge and past experiences, the way you used to do things, your old routines, habits, and perspectives, but to lean more on your all-knowing, all-powerful Lord Most High and to keenly trust in His Word, His Will, and His direction. Don't just do what you feel like doing, but do what you know that you know that you know exactly what God is leading you to do!

Here are some more verses to ponder...

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 1:2-3 ...delight...in the law of the LORD, and on His law...meditate...day and night. [You will] be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [you] do...prospers.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

[Ave Maria]

Hey everyone! Thanks for the explanation. I think I better understand now. Thanks!

 

[jbarcher]

Great posts.

One can simply note the context: first, trust in the Lord fully (hint: 'external' authority (even though God says that YOU are His temple), not self-authority). You aren't running on your own--don't try to make this "your game". In all your ways, acknowledge Him. And as a wonderful consequence, He will lead you.

There is a cry against autonomy. But that does not equate to being against using reason, which is a most natural faculty.

 

[CFoster]

Great post!

 

[Ave Maria]

I think I found a better translation of this verse. It is found in the New Living Translation:

Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

The emphasis in italics is mine.

Well, that is the way that I best understand it. We are not to depend on our own understanding but we are to seek the Holy Spirit and seek other input for the various things in life. Make any sense?

 

[Mea Culpa]

[bible]Proverbs 3:5[/bible]

Ok, my question is about the last part of the verse that says "and lean not unto thine own understanding." Exactly what does this mean? Are we not allowed to use our own minds when studying the Bible? Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Also, below is the entire proverb in context:

[bible]Proverbs 3:5-6[/bible]

It means seek His understanding, not your own. We can so easily fall into the trap of "this means this because that is what I want it to say". We don't think that consciencely a lot of times, but we are human, and the natural man wants to figure stuff out for itself.

So we must seek Him and His understanding, that way the things we learn will not be of us but of Him!

Hope that helped a little.

 

[king_james]

This Proverb is the true basis of wisdom! Rejecting your ideas and trusting God's inspired revelation and sovereign providence will save you from the ignorance of the human race. If you cherish or protect your opinions against His, you will suffer! Beware, reader!

James

 

[Robert62]

Perhaps this helps explain.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Robert.