Topical Bible: Man: Cannot Direct his Ways

◄ Man: Cannot Direct his Ways ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept that man cannot direct his own ways is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing human dependence on divine guidance and the limitations of human wisdom. This theme underscores the belief that human beings, due to their finite understanding and inherent sinful nature, are incapable of charting their own course without divine intervention.

Biblical Foundation

1. Jeremiah 10:23 · "I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps." This verse explicitly states the inability of humans to direct their own paths, highlighting the necessity of relying on God for guidance. Jeremiah acknowledges that human autonomy is insufficient for navigating life's complexities.

2. Proverbs 16:9 · "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This proverb illustrates the contrast between human intention and divine sovereignty. While individuals may devise plans, it is ultimately God who orchestrates the outcomes, reinforcing the idea that human control is limited.

3. Proverbs 20:24 · "A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?" This verse further emphasizes the divine origin of human direction, suggesting that understanding one's path is beyond human capability without acknowledging God's role.

Theological Implications

The belief that man cannot direct his own ways is rooted in the understanding of human nature and the need for divine guidance. Theologically, this concept is tied to the doctrine of original sin, which posits that human nature is inherently flawed and inclined toward error. As a result, individuals are seen as needing God's wisdom and direction to live righteously.

Dependence on God

The inability of man to direct his own ways calls for a life of dependence on God. This dependence is expressed through prayer, seeking God's will, and adhering to His commandments. The Bible encourages believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart and not to rely on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). This trust is a recognition of God's omniscience and benevolence, acknowledging that His ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Examples in Scripture

1. King Solomon · Despite his wisdom, Solomon's later years were marked by poor decisions when he strayed from God's guidance (1 Kings 11:1-11). His life serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of relying on human wisdom over divine direction.

2. The Israelites · Throughout their history, the Israelites often failed when they attempted to direct their own ways, such as during their wilderness wanderings and the period of the judges. Their repeated disobedience and reliance on their own understanding led to cycles of sin and redemption.

3. The Apostle Paul · In the New Testament, Paul exemplifies reliance on divine guidance. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were directed by the Holy Spirit in their missionary journeys, demonstrating the importance of seeking and following God's direction.

Practical Application

For believers, acknowledging the inability to direct one's own ways leads to a life characterized by humility and submission to God's will. It involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer for guidance, and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit. This mindset fosters spiritual growth and aligns one's life with God's purposes, ensuring that decisions and actions are rooted in divine wisdom rather than human folly.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 10:23
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether one Can Intend Two Things at the Same Time?
... expression "two things" may be taken in two ways: they may ... to Objection 1: Augustine
means to say that man cannot at the same time direct his attention to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one can intend two.htm

Whether Without Grace a Man Can Prepare Himself for Grace
... and every cause is therefore bound to direct its effects to ... of the first mover, and
to his penultimate end ... me to draw near to God." A man cannot therefore turn ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article six whether without grace.htm

Whether a Man, by Himself and Without the External Aid of Grace ...
... acts for an end, every cause must direct is effect ... to receive the sun's light, by
turning his eyes towards ... Hence it is clear that man cannot prepare himself to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man by himself.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... is not self-inspecting at these points cannot destroy the ... he sees clearly that it
is a direct violation of ... have been discussing, even the natural man should be ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man.htm

Four Questions on the Perfection of Righteousness: -1 Whether a ...
... is not in man to walk and direct his steps." [475 ... these and many other like testimonies,
I cannot doubt that God has laid no impossible command on man; and that ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 vi four questions on.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... of wickedness belongs to the wicked man, why should ... at the justice of God, but cannot
reach it ... that nothing happens fortuitously, will always direct his eye to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Whether an Individual Action Can be Indifferent?
... For since it belongs to the reason to direct; if an ... object of human action is such
that it cannot be directed ... Thus man, as far as his species is concerned, is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an individual action can.htm

Man and the New Covenant.
... But we cannot off-hand accept it as Jeremiah's own; the ... VI.6-8: namely, that every
man should be ... he had taught religion as the individual's direct knowledge of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 man and the new.htm

The New Man
... It too is a direct gift from God. ... since, 'the Lord God made them' the covering which
they cannot make for ... lowly trust that it is true of us, 'If any man be in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the new man.htm

Psalm CXIX.
... the latter fear: yet without it what all wish cannot be attained. ... [5133] This man
wisheth himself ... account he desireth that his ways may be made direct to keep ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxix.htm