◄ Proverbs 28:26 ►
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
Study Bible
He who trusts in himself is a fool
This phrase highlights the biblical theme of the folly of self-reliance. Throughout Scripture, reliance on one's own understanding is consistently discouraged. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, and it was understood that true wisdom comes from God (Proverbs 9:10). Trusting in oneself implies a rejection of divine guidance, which is seen as foolishness. This is echoed in Jeremiah 17:9, which describes the heart as deceitful. The historical context of Israel, surrounded by nations that often relied on human wisdom and strength, further underscores the importance of trusting in God rather than oneself.

but one who walks in wisdom will be safe
Walking in wisdom implies living a life guided by God's principles and understanding. In biblical terms, wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical application of God's truth. The safety mentioned here is not just physical protection but also spiritual security. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that those who follow God's ways are under His protection (Psalm 91:1-2). The concept of walking in wisdom is also seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied divine wisdom and provided a model for believers to follow. The promise of safety is both a present reality and a future hope, as seen in the ultimate salvation offered through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often contrast the wise and the foolish.

2. The Fool
In Proverbs, the fool is often depicted as someone who rejects wisdom and understanding, choosing instead to rely on their own flawed judgment.

3. The Wise
Those who seek and apply God's wisdom in their lives, often characterized by humility and a willingness to learn from God and others.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

5. The Path of Wisdom
A metaphorical journey that represents living according to God's principles, leading to safety and security.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Self-Reliance
Trusting in oneself is equated with foolishness because human understanding is limited and flawed. True wisdom comes from God, not from within.

The Safety of Walking in Wisdom
Walking in wisdom involves seeking God's guidance and applying His principles to our lives. This path leads to safety and security, both spiritually and practically.

The Role of Humility in Wisdom
Humility is essential for acquiring wisdom. Recognizing our limitations and seeking God's wisdom demonstrates a humble heart.

The Importance of Seeking Godly Counsel
Surrounding oneself with wise, godly counsel can help avoid the pitfalls of self-reliance and lead to better decision-making.

The Heart's Deceptiveness
Our hearts can deceive us, leading us astray. Regularly aligning our hearts with God's Word helps guard against this deception.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Proverbs 28:26 challenge the modern cultural emphasis on self-reliance and self-confidence?

2. In what ways can we actively seek God's wisdom in our daily decision-making processes?

3. How can we discern whether we are trusting in ourselves or truly relying on God's wisdom?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are walking in wisdom and not in foolishness?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5, reinforce the message of Proverbs 28:26? How can these connections deepen our understanding and application of this verse?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage emphasizes trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding, aligning with the theme of Proverbs 28:26 about the folly of self-reliance.

Jeremiah 17:9
Highlights the deceitfulness of the heart, reinforcing the idea that trusting in oneself can lead to foolishness.

James 1:5
Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously, contrasting with the self-reliance criticized in Proverbs 28:26.
Sermons
Folly and Wisdom in the Personal RelationE. Johnson Proverbs 28:26
Folly of Self-ConfidenceJ. Burns, D.D.Proverbs 28:26
Self-DeceitArchdeacon Manning.Proverbs 28:26
Self-Sufficiency and Godly ConfidenceHomilistProverbs 28:26
Strange Self-DeceptionP. N. Shuttleworth, D.D.Proverbs 28:26
The Folly of Self-TrustR. S. Candlish, D.D.Proverbs 28:26
The Folly of Trusting in Our Own HeartsR. South.Proverbs 28:26
The Height of FollyThomas Spurgeon.Proverbs 28:26
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
In Whom to TrustW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:25, 26
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Confideth, Delivered, Escape, Faith, Fool, Foolish, Heart, Kept, Mind, Safe, Trusteth, Trusting, Trusts, Walketh, Walking, Walks, Wisdom, Wisely
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:26

     5481   proverb
     5511   safety
     5813   conceit
     8021   faith, nature of
     8032   trust, lack of
     8354   trustworthiness
     8367   wisdom, importance of
     8757   folly, effects of
     8760   fools, characteristics
     8820   self-confidence

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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