The Book of Proverbs

Study #3: Self-image

July 11, 2004

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

When I use the term “self-image,” I'm referring to the manner in which we are to think of ourselves as the creatures of God, living in His world, subject to His Word. I'm not thinking of the popular notion of self-esteem. In the book of Proverbs, we find a number of verses that establish the perspective we are to hold as we walk before the LORD. And, as is to be expected, we also find a number of statements telling us what we are not to think about ourselves or how we are not to determine our significance in this world.

The perspective that is commended in the Proverbs reflects the facts that we are creatures and God is the Creator. This perspective is essential, Solomon teaches, to a well-ordered life. It won't take us long in this study to understand why Solomon held such an opinion; nor will it take us long to realize how easily the perspective of Proverbs is lost or obscured or ignored. Because we are fallen creatures, our tendency is to think more highly of ourselves than we should; our tendency is to have more confidence in ourselves than we should.

Our memory verse for this portion of our study was chosen to illustrate the essence of what the Proverbs teach us about how we deceive ourselves regarding our place in this world and how we are to correct that self-deception.

Our Memory Verse

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

but the LORD weighs the motives.

(Pro. 16:2)

Here is an example of antithetical parallelism; and in this case, it is particularly significant because this verse presents two diametrically opposed approaches to life-one that is “natural,” we could say to fallen creatures, and then the one that is truthful. In terms of generalities, Solomon sums up the way fallen human beings think of themselves and their abilities to perceive and act rightly. In contrast to that perception, he sets the One who knows our hearts and that is the LORD.

Let's consider the first phrase of this verse: “all the ways of a man are clean in his own sight…” What does this tell us about how we tend to think about ourselves? What does this tell us about how, without correction, we will view our abilities and actions? This phrase declares that to the uncorrected mind-and this is the way to think of what Solomon means here because he contrasts a man's ways with what the LORD knows in truth-whatever it conceives is truth. Therefore, what the uncorrected mind, that is, the mind not trained in truth, not subdued to the Word of God, perceives becomes the basis for conduct.

A fallen man examines his world and assumes that his analysis is correct; he assumes that what he concludes about the nature of this world is correct. So, a fallen man, a man with an unenlightened mind or a mind not subject to the revelation of God, further assumes that any actions or decisions based on his observations must be correct-a fallen man, in other words, simply acts in a manner consistent with his fallen nature. He analyzes, concludes, thinks and acts based on the belief that he is capable of rightly understanding his environment.

This characteristic is directly traceable to the fall of Adam and Eve. Adam's sin was disobedience to the will of God and at the heart of all disobedience is the belief, however obscured, that I know better than God. Adam, in his actions, declared that he knew better than God, that God's assessment of his environment was not necessary the only assessment that might have validity. So, Adam acted on his own, apart from what God commanded. Adam did what he thought was right, not what his Creator had declared was right. And that is what Solomon encapsulates in this first phrase.

It's a simple truth that we hold the opinions we hold and we take the actions we take because we believe we are correct. Otherwise, we would hold another opinion or act in a different manner. Every person holds opinions they believe are correct or they would believe something else. Every person behaves according to what they believe is right; otherwise, they would behave differently. This is not a difficult concept to grasp. Solomon, as I said, encapsulates the very heart of fallen man's reasoning process-he assumes that his ways are clean.

Apart from God's correction, we are left with only ourselves as the measure of all things. If we are not looking to the standard of God, we must look to our own standard-there are no other choices. Now our standard may be a compilation of opinions taken from different sources, but it is still a standard assembled apart from the Word of God. And we go through life apply this standard and viewing the world according to this standard; and we remain in that mode of thinking and behaving unless, at some point, we are regenerated. And even then, we must battle for the rest of our lives to subdue our opinions and our conclusions in light of the Word of God that has become the standard by which we are to measure all things.

There is a lot in this first phrase. It speaks not only of how we behave and think, but also why we behave and think as we do. Remember, that in such verses, when Solomon speaks of “a man” he is referring to a man who operates apart from the wisdom of God. That is made clear in his use of antithetical parallelism.

And that brings us to the second half of this verse: “but the LORD weighs the motives.” As I said, this is an absolute contrast in two perspectives-the perspective of fallen man and the perspective of fallen man's Creator. That something might be wrong with “the ways of a man” is immediately indicated. Fallen man assumes, as I've emphasized, that his assessments are correct and he acts on them. But the LORD assesses the man himself and in that assessment, Solomon implies, fallen man is found wanting.

The word translated “weighs” (takan) conveys the idea of subjecting something to examination by which its true nature or worth is revealed. This implies that what a man thinks or what conclusions he holds are not necessarily correct. The LORD, as only He can do, examines that which is behind a man's thoughts or actions-and that is the state of his heart. This is made clear when you consider the word translated “motives.” It is a word (ruwach) that refers to the mind or the heart; it refers to one's disposition.

So, while a fallen man may believe he sees correctly and is rightly interpreting his environment so that he has great confidence in himself and his decisions, the LORD is able to see the condition of his heart; and that is something that the man himself cannot do. Therefore, if a man is to know the truth about himself and his environment, so that he can think rightly and behave rightly, he must look outside himself for guidance. With that guidance, that revelation that God supplies, a man can then begin to think and act in a truly proper manner.

In conclusion, then, as far as this verse is concerned, we must say that we are taught to be distrustful of the uncorrected perspective we all hold-uncorrected, that is, by the Word of God. It is His Word that reveals to us the truth about the world in which we live, and the truth about our relationship with Him and others. We are not to think of ourselves as understanding anything apart from the context of God's revelation; we are to understand that if we seek to interpret our environment or discover our duties apart from the Word of our Creator, we are bound to stumble. Our fallen natures will lead us astray. There is no question about that fact.

Solomon teaches, therefore, that self-image begins with the admission that we cannot trust our perceptions; we must subject them to the Word of God. We are not independent creatures, we are dependent creatures. We are not trustworthy sources of interpretation, we are, on the contrary, most untrustworthy. We are creatures that must rely on our Creator for understanding.

If you keep this teaching in mind as you read through proverbs, you will see dozens of examples where it is reflected in something Solomon writes. Let's consider a few more examples having to do with how we think of ourselves and others.

Additional Verses

The first group of additional verses speak to what I'll call “false assumptions,” that is, assumptions we hold about ourselves and the world in which we live that are, in the final analysis incorrect.

The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

(16:1)

This verse appears just before our memory verse and says much the same thing. I include it here separately because it speaks even more directly to the nature of our dependence on the LORD. Solomon acknowledges that we make plans in our heart, which has already been emphasized. But then, instead of saying that those plans are subject the LORD's oversight, which we know is true from our study already, he says something more significant: “but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”

This speaks to the LORD's sovereign orchestration of our lives. We make our plans, but ultimately God can overrule the words we speak-or, to better explain what Solomon means here-the expression we give to those plans. We are laboring under a false notion if we think that whatever we determine in our hearts will inevitably come to pass.

So, we are not to think of ourselves as independent beings. Coupled with 16:2, our memory verse, Solomon gives us a picture of an existence that is absolutely subject to the will and purposes of our Creator.

For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD,

and He watches all his paths.

(5:21)

In terms of what we think about ourselves and this world in which we live, one false assumption fallen man makes is that he is accountable only when and how he chooses to be accountable. In human relationships, we make ourselves accountable and, when it no longer pleases us, we throw of that accountability (marriages, jobs, daily observance of civil law, etc.). Normally, we don't live apart from several human relationships in which accountability is a factor. And we know that the Bible teaches that accountability is a necessary and beneficial element because we are sinners and sinners need to be held accountable at every level.

But suppose a man manages to extricate himself from every significant form of accountability. Is he then truly without accountability? Solomon says “no.” A man's ways-his life, his actions, that which constitutes his particular existence-are “before the eyes of the LORD.” No person is ever free of scrutiny or accountability because, after all other restraints or restrictions are removed, a man still lives out his entire life before the eyes of the LORD. There is no changing this and there is no escaping this truth. We are creatures and we exist in the presence of our Creator. He knows all and sees all-whether it be concerning some far off place in the universe of the thought that just this moment passed through our minds. We are not, as I said before, independent creatures, we are dependent creatures.

Therefore, we are not allowed to live as if we are a law unto ourselves or as if we are free to let our hearts be the final determiner of right and wrong, mercy and justice, giving and taking. We have never and will never live apart from God's searching and knowing eye. So, when we formulate an image of ourselves, we are to take this truth into account. God is watching everything we do. An element of our self-image, therefore, must be that our lives are open to our Creator. There is not a single thought He doesn't know, a single word He doesn't hear, or a single act He doesn't see.

Think even for a moment on this truth and you can see how profoundly our lives should be affected.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

(12:15)

Here, Solomon speaks bluntly. Instead of simply referring to “a man” who thinks his ways are right, he uses a different, more revealing term: “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes…” This is the word found throughout Proverbs to describe the man who will not be governed by the wisdom of God. He is not just lacking the right perspective and he is not just going to be wrong in some cases, he is a fool. He is the antithesis of what the LORD requires and the opposite of what a man looks like who submits himself to the LORD's Word.

The man who depends on his own ability to perceive and his own ability to conclude, the man who truly trusts his heart is nothing but a fool. He is a shameful creature because he has adopted a perception of himself that is totally wrong and totally contrary to the fact of his having been created by God. A proper image of self, therefore, must exclude the notion that we are wise, perceptive, insightful or discerning apart from the Word of our Maker.

This is what Solomon emphasizes in the second half of the verse: “but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” How is the wise man distinguished from the foolish man? The wise man “listens to counsel.” The fool does not listen to counsel. And what is so important about listening to counsel? The man who listens to counsel does so because he knows he needs to do so. The wise man knows he needs instruction; the fool thinks he does not. The fool thinks he can find his own way, but the wise man realizes he needs guidance.

And, of course, the book of Proverbs has something to say about the advantages of counsel. Seeking counsel is prudent. The man who does so reveals a proper image of himself. The man who does not do so reveals that he doesn't really know his own makeup.

If you see a man or woman who seeks the opinions of others, you are seeing a person worthy of imitation. If you see a man or woman who resists counsel or who has no pattern of seeking counsel, you are seeing an example to avoid. This truth can hardly be emphasized strongly enough. A refusal to listen to counsel is a declaration of autonomy from God.

Fallen creatures need instruction and they need insight. The idea then is that a wise man, recognizing his need, goes to those distinguished by submission to the Word of God. He seeks input and opinion, and he follows what he hears.

I now will give a short list of additional verses that speak to the issue of self-image or the way in which we should think of ourselves before God:

How we are to view ourselves in relation to the Word of God

“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.” (8:14)

This is wisdom personified speaking. These are simple, but important declarations to which a wise person will pay heed. They support what we already have studied and underscore the notion that we need God's guidance.

The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. (13:13)

The word “despises” comes from a term (buwz) that means “to hold as insignificant.” The first phrase describes the man who thinks he needs no source other than himself to analyze and rightly understand this world. Such a man will, in the end, be judged by the Word of God. The second phrase describes the man who understand how he is to view himself and, therefore, he is blessed.

How we are to view ourselves in relation to God

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. (15:8)

The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. (15:29)

I include these two verses under the heading of self-image because they speak to how we should view ourselves in relation to God from a different angle than what we discovered in previous verses. These two verses describe a gracious relationship between creature and Creator. Previous verses described our dependence on Him, but that dependence has a loving and friendly aspect to it.

How we are to view ourselves in relation to the circumstances of life

The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment. (10:16)

It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. (10:22)

If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! (11:31)

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always. (23:17)

These verses all speak of the perspective we are to hold regarding the circumstances of life. They emphasize a general truth that God directs the affairs of men and we are not to fret, therefore, but accept the sovereign purposes of the LORD.

Practical Responses

I'll close with a couple of thoughts regarding how this study should affect us.

Once again, you'll notice, that the Proverbs have spoken to us about our fallen condition. As with the last topic of self-control, we also have a particular tendency when it comes to self-image or how we think about ourselves and our place in this world. Our tendency is to overestimate our abilities and under estimate our need for the instruction of the Word. The wise person, therefore, will “force-feed” his spirit with the Word of God knowing that while the flesh may resist, this is an essential exercise.

We must always be measuring our opinions against the Word. I won't even attempt to speculate how much trouble would be avoided in our lives if we simply developed a habit of submitting our views to the Word and did so by humbly offering our views to others while inviting response based on their understanding of the Scriptures. As it is, though, we hold tenaciously to our opinions and are offended when they are challenged even in the most innocent and well-intentioned manner. This is not the way of wisdom, it is the way of ignorance. As much as we would like to believe it, and as tempted as we are to act on the idea, we are not the measure of all things and we must discipline ourselves to become people who receive instruction-and we must do this because we recognize that, as fallen creatures, we need it.