A Self-Governing Spirit…..

“It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels,
but fools love to pick fights”.   Prov. 20:3  MSG Bible

The fool is one who has willfully determined not to follow the way of wisdom.   Although wisdom has sought him out, he has refused and rejected her.

One becomes a fool by trusting in himself.   If he will not trust in God he must trust in himself. (Prov. 1:7, 29).   Proverbs tells us that the fool is self-confident, trusting in his own wisdom, rather than in God and the counsel of those who are wise (Prov. 12:15).

“Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom
will be kept safe”.  Prov. 28:26 CEB

Realizing the tendency of the fool to trust in himself enriches our understanding of one of the most familiar passages in the Book of Proverbs:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.   Do not be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful”.          Prov. 3:5-7 NLV

The decision to trust in self and not God results in arrogance and in a rejection of all authority including that of one’s parents.   The fool is characterized by complacency. 

After all, who needs instruction, if he knows it all?

Who needs correction, who is never wrong?

Who needs improvement, who has already arrived at wisdom and maturity?

As a result, the fool has a self-governing spirit and is reckless in his living.        (Prov. 21:24, 15:5, 10:8, 1:32, 14:16)