What is the meaning of Proverbs 21:4? Haughty eyes - The verse begins by targeting the outward display of arrogance: “haughty eyes.” God consistently names this as something He hates (Proverbs 6:16–17). When someone’s gaze looks down on others, it exposes the deeper pride that drives every other sinful posture (Psalm 101:5; Isaiah 2:11). - Such a look is more than bad manners; it signals a heart unwilling to submit to God’s authority or value fellow image-bearers. Proud heart - Scripture moves from the visible to the invisible. A “proud heart” is the inner engine behind the haughty look (Proverbs 16:5). This inward elevation of self resists grace, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). - Pride blinds us to our need for repentance and pushes us to trust in our own wisdom rather than leaning on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5–7). The guides of the wicked - The calls these attitudes “the guides of the wicked.” They function like an internal compass, steering a person’s decisions, priorities, and values. Jesus warned that “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:23), showing how a distorted inner light can mislead the entire life. - When pride becomes a guide, it dulls the conscience (Ephesians 4:18–19) and replaces God’s wisdom with self-made schemes (Romans 1:21). Are sin - The verse ends bluntly: these attitudes “are sin.” They are not neutral character traits or minor flaws; they violate God’s standard and incur guilt (1 John 3:4). - Because “even the scheming of folly is sin” (Proverbs 24:9), repentance must reach the level of motive and desire, not just outward behavior. Anything born of pride, rather than faith, “is sin” (Romans 14:23). - The gospel supplies the only remedy: Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5–8) and the Spirit’s transforming power, producing the fruit of a humble heart (Galatians 5:22–23). summary Proverbs 21:4 links the visible scorn of “haughty eyes,” the hidden arrogance of a “proud heart,” and their role as the internal “guides” that direct the wicked, declaring the whole package to be outright sin. God exposes and condemns pride at every level, calling us instead to humble dependence on Him, where true wisdom and righteousness are found. |
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