Pro 26:12 | MHM | STEP | The Danger of Self-Conceit This section talks about the spiritual problem of being wise in your own eyes. It warns that thinking too highly of yourself can be worse than being foolish. People who are proud of their little knowledge or who think they are spiritually good often refuse to learn or change. v. 12 : Some people are wise in their own conceit . They are proud and think they know more than others. Sometimes, they show off a little sense or pretend to be religious, like the church in Laodicea who said, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing (Revelation 3:17 ). But this attitude is very dangerous. It is often harder to help these people than to help someone who knows they are foolish. Solomon noticed that his proud students were the hardest to teach. The Bible says, If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise (1 Corinthians 3:18 ). Jesus also said that there is more hope for a tax collector than for a proud Pharisee (Matthew 21:32 ). Many people miss true wisdom and faith because they wrongly believe they already have both (John 9:40–41 ). The Disgrace of Slothfulness This next section shows how foolishness and laziness often go together. Idle people often try to excuse their laziness with silly reasons. Their laziness makes them even more foolish, and their foolishness keeps them lazy.

‏ Proverbs 26:12

The Danger of Self-Conceit

This section talks about the spiritual problem of being wise in your own eyes. It warns that thinking too highly of yourself can be worse than being foolish. People who are proud of their little knowledge or who think they are spiritually good often refuse to learn or change.

v. 12: Some people are wise in their own conceit . They are proud and think they know more than others. Sometimes, they show off a little sense or pretend to be religious, like the church in Laodicea who said, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing (Revelation 3:17 ^a). But this attitude is very dangerous. It is often harder to help these people than to help someone who knows they are foolish. Solomon noticed that his proud students were the hardest to teach. The Bible says, If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise (1 Corinthians 3:18 ^b). Jesus also said that there is more hope for a tax collector than for a proud Pharisee (Matthew 21:32 ^c). Many people miss true wisdom and faith because they wrongly believe they already have both (John 9:40–41 ^d).

The Disgrace of Slothfulness

This next section shows how foolishness and laziness often go together. Idle people often try to excuse their laziness with silly reasons. Their laziness makes them even more foolish, and their foolishness keeps them lazy.