Wisdom's Conceit

Our English words often communicate more information than we realize. Consider the word “halt,” a favorite of King James Bible critics. We know the word means “to stop walking," but, as the critics like to point out, that is not its only meaning. As you study your Bible--and as a native speaker of a language where words usually have more than one meaning--you will quickly realize that. As you might expect, although the word has several meanings, the meanings are all related. Each time the word “halt” is used in the King James Bible, it refers to the basic idea of an action being interrupted. Sometimes the action of walking is interrupted by a limp, like Jacob in Genesis 32:21; sometimes the action of choosing a side is interrupted by indecisiveness, like the Israelites on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:21. No matter the example, the general meaning of “halt” provides good information to understand its meaning each specific instance.

Proverbs uses another word like this: conceit. The idea behind “conceit” is “eyes.” It describes how you see yourself. Today, we primarily use “conceit” to refer to a sinful, self-aggrandizing way of seeing ourselves. We want to define this word because it is the key

word in Proverbs 26, used three times. Because it is the key word, this chapter of Proverbs is “Wisdom’s Conceit.”

From Bad to Worse

The word “conceit” is the key word of the first heading in verses 1–16. The first 11 verses give us the bad, and verses 12–16 give us the worse. The fool is bad. Many of the first 11 verses use metaphors to make that point. The verbal imagery in verses 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, and 11 illustrates how ridiculous it is to give honor to a fool or take his advice. It is absurd and frustrating for it to snow in the summer or to rain when it’s time to harvest. It is equally absurd and frustrating to see a fool promoted to honor. That is also the way to understand “a parable in the mouth of fools.” Such a thing is like a thorn irritating a drunkard who is so controlled by alcohol that he doesn’t understand the source or importance of the pain in his hand. These metaphors help us liken the absurdity of one thing with another.

Verses 4 and 5 seem to contradict one another, but they actually complete one another. Verse 4 instructs us to “answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” Verse 5 then says, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” The key to understanding these verses is the type of answer being given. Do not answer in agreement with a fool’s folly—or “according to his folly” in verse 4—because if you do, you might become like him. If you tell him his folly is okay, then because you think it’s okay, you are likely to become the next fool.

Did you notice the word “like” in verse 4? If we unwisely answer a fool by agreeing with him, we will become like him. Just as Solomon uses metaphors to liken absurd and foolish things, in verse 4 he implies that anyone who endorses a fool’s folly will become his next metaphor. If you endorse a fool’s behavior, then you are another fool that Solomon can make a metaphor about. But then verse 5 tells us to “answer a fool according to his folly.” Instead of answering in agreement, this verse teaches us to answer in opposition by rebuking the fool’s behavior. The purpose is so that the fool does not become “wise in his own conceit”—that is, in his own eyes.

A fool who is wise in his own conceit is bad and needs a rebuke, but the text is taking us from bad to worse. What is worse than a fool? “A man wise in his own conceit.” In fact, verse 12 says, “there is more hope for a fool than of him.” A fool is obviously bad, and all the metaphors make that point, but a man who is “wise” in his own conceit—or his own eyes—is worse than that!

Verses 13–16 describe another man who is also worse than a fool. This is the slothful man. He is lazy, but he is also a know-it-all. We see him in verse 13 making stuff up. In verse 15, he is described as a whiner. Despite his obvious character flaws, verse 16 explains that “the sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” It is like a king has seven wise counselors, but this whiny know-it-all sluggard thinks he knows more than the king’s counselors. There is more hope for an overt fool to repent than for a man who thinks he knows everything. These first 16 verses brought us from bad to worse. A fool is bad, but arrogant and lazy men are worse.

From Sluggard to Strife

Beginning in verse 17, Proverbs describes how a know-it-all sluggard stirs up and creates strife. As you read verses 17–22, circle each time you see the word “strife.” Verse 17 begins with another metaphor. Grabbing a strange dog by the ears is not only unwise, but it creates unnecessary strife. You will likely get bitten! There is no reason to meddle with an unfamiliar dog. Whenever we meddle, we create unnecessary strife in our lives. A man who is wise in his own conceit thinks meddling is okay, and he will not listen to anyone who tells him to stop.

Verses 18–19 describe how acting like a madman and deceiving your neighbor creates unnecessary strife. This madman is also the contentious man of verse 21 and the talebearer in verses 20 and 22. As he goes along, he ignites strife and meddles with fire (v. 21). His strife and talebearing create deep wounds in the “innermost parts of the belly” of other people. Such a person who purports himself to be wise is only wise in his own conceit. The wisdom he perceives he has is not wisdom at all.

From Strife to Speech

Conflict naturally erupts into angry words. So much strife was created by the talebearer in the previous section that the final verses focus on his speech. It is the speech of a man who is wise in his own conceit. Such speech is wicked and worthless. Like a “potsherd covered with silver dross” (v. 23), it is both impure and worthless. The words appear fair (or attractive) at times (v. 25). Do not trust the talebearer or his words, though. Notice the “deceit” in verses 24 and 26. He has “a lying tongue” (v. 28), and his “flattering mouth worketh ruin.” His wicked heart is full of hatred. Notice the references to his hateful heart in verses 24, 26, and 28. What an unpleasant, wicked man.

Do not become the know-it-all who creates unnecessary strife with his speech and spreads it through his life. Those who are proud of their own wisdom make wise men into fools. May God help us all to avoid being wise in our own conceit.

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The above article was written by Pastor James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fl. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.

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