Folly of Self-Confidence
Proverbs 28:26
He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered.


I. THE EVIL THE TEXT REFERS TO. The heart here signifies the whole soul. Trusting in it means to rest on its sufficiency; to depend upon it in the various circumstances in which we may be placed. It includes —

1. A reliance upon our own wisdom in the concerns of life.

2. To adopt our own schemes of religion. By affirming the sufficiency of nature and reason. By admitting into his creed nothing but what his imperfect mind can understand. By placing all his hopes on excited feelings and warm emotions. By adding to, or diminishing from, Christ's holy doctrines, ordinances, or commands.

3. To confide in the moral goodness of our own hearts. The Christian also trusts in his own heart when —

4. He relies upon his own skill or power in temptation and trouble.

II. THE DECLARATION MADE CONCERNING THIS EVIL. "Is a fool." This is obvious —

1. If we appeal to reason.

2. To the heart itself.

3. To examples.

4. To our own experience.

(J. Burns, D.D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

WEB: One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.




Folly and Wisdom in the Personal Relation
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