Topical Bible: Fools: Trust to Their own Hearts

◄ Fools: Trust to Their own Hearts ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "fool" often refers to someone who acts without wisdom or understanding, particularly in relation to God and His commandments. A recurring theme in Scripture is the folly of trusting in one's own heart, which is seen as a departure from divine wisdom and guidance.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 28:26 · "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe." This verse explicitly contrasts the folly of self-reliance with the safety found in walking according to wisdom. The biblical perspective emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God, and reliance on one's own understanding is deemed foolish.

2. Jeremiah 17:9 · "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This passage underscores the inherent deceitfulness of the human heart, suggesting that trusting in it leads to misguided actions and decisions. The prophet Jeremiah warns against the unreliability of the heart, implying that divine insight is necessary for true understanding.

3. Proverbs 3:5-6 · "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Here, the admonition is clear: trust should be placed in the Lord rather than in one's own heart or understanding. The promise is that God will provide guidance and direction to those who rely on Him.

4. Proverbs 12:15 · "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." This verse highlights the self-deception of fools who believe their own way is right. In contrast, wisdom is associated with seeking and heeding counsel, particularly that which aligns with God's truth.

5. Ecclesiastes 10:2 · "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." This metaphorical language suggests a divergence in the paths chosen by the wise and the foolish. The wise are depicted as aligning with righteousness and divine wisdom, while fools follow their own misguided inclinations.

Theological Implications:

The biblical portrayal of fools trusting in their own hearts serves as a cautionary message about the limitations of human wisdom apart from God. The Scriptures consistently advocate for a reliance on divine guidance, emphasizing that human understanding is flawed and insufficient for navigating the complexities of life. This theme is woven throughout the wisdom literature, where the fear of the Lord is presented as the foundation of true knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 1:7).

In the broader biblical narrative, the folly of self-reliance is often juxtaposed with the blessings of obedience and submission to God's will. The call to trust in the Lord rather than one's own heart is a central tenet of faith, encouraging believers to seek God's wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of the faithful community.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 28:26
He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... and the Certainty of its Principles to trust to; such a ... How many such Fools have
we amongst us, who ... can find no time to look into their own Hearts, to consider ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... such strife about places of power and trust, if we ... but anger rests in the bosoms
of fools, it cannot ... of offence, giving to every one their own due, honouring ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... you have expressed for the welfare of their better parts ... with each other in spirit;
and God, I trust, will enable ... to be ready to be accounted fools for Christ's ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... They are fools." Yes, but the Son of God did not think ... From the glowing coals their
voices call aloud to us, "Be ... Come and trust Jesus Christ, and you are saved ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three names high on the.htm

Election and Holiness
... passed by and beggars chosen; wise men left, but fools made to ... feast of mercy; while
proud Pharisees are suffered to trust in their own righteousness and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/election and holiness.htm

Confusion.
... man; that Ezekiel was such a man; that their writings shew ... wish to be confounded
for ever, must trust in God ... judgments." And then the laughter of fools will end ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vii confusion.htm

The Good Shepherd
... good for the bad, the wise one for the fools, the pure ... plans which they have conceived:
I have inspired their good desires ... We trust that we are Christ's sheep. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxvii the good shepherd.htm

Two Ancient Proverbs
... mean to fling away your immortal soul in order to escape the laughter of fools? ... our
own works there is a danger that men may so trust in their own works as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two ancient proverbs.htm

One Antidote for Many Ills
... I trust, in some degree, that you all do but ... those who fancy all goes well in their
hearts ofttimes little ... Dost thou account us fools that we should cry over ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/one antidote for many ills.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... that all the world, in comparison, are geese and fools. ... defend them if they would
but trust and obey ... have lamented, in the light of their own experience, that ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm