Be Not Wise in Your Own Eyes

The point: Approach the study of Proverbs as disciples of Christ, seeking to know and obey His commands out of love for Him, to please and glorify Him.

Martin warns against treating Proverbs like a 'sanctified little poor man's almanac' for tidbits of life advice, arguing it diminishes its true purpose as Christ's commands.

As we continue our studies in Proverbs chapter 3, we do well to remember something that I emphasized, I trust, with some degree of clarity at the beginning of our study of the book of Proverbs in general. That we are approaching this study within a very decidedly evangelical framework, and by that I mean we are reading the book of Proverbs in the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. And this is perfectly proper to do, in fact it's absolutely essential if our study of the scriptures is to be truly Christian. We are not coming to the book of Proverbs like some kind of a sanctified little poor...

0:51 - 1:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin argues that self-conceit is a peculiarly aggravated sin of youth, explaining this due to young people's limited self-knowledge, limited knowledge of the world's true…

Peter's boast that he would never forsake Christ, only to deny Him, illustrates how youth often lacks true self-knowledge and the humbling discoveries of their own weakness.

A young person sees an older saint crack under certain pressures, and he's amazed. He says, that will never be to me. He's like Peter, you know. Though all forsake you, you all never...

15:49 - 15:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Learn to keep your mouth shut and observe before rashly condemning opinions and principles that have the stamp of time and experience.

An older missionary advises a young, zealous missionary to 'keep your mouth shut for the first five years on the field,' illustrating the wisdom of patience and not rashly condemning established principles before understanding their depth.

Let me illustrate. I was at a conference a number of years ago way out in Western Canada. There was a missionary who had just returned from his first missionary term. Five years in the field.

26:43 - 26:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin further illustrates self-conceit through rashly condemning time-tested opinions and principles, and warns against 'youthism' (leadership of youth) as a curse from God…

The sluggard sipping beer and stroking his beard, then offering simple solutions to complex town problems, illustrates unfounded confidence in one's own opinions without effort or experience.

Here's the sluggard. He sits around sipping his beer and stroking his...

30:13 - 30:19 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin further illustrates self-conceit through rashly condemning time-tested opinions and principles, and warns against 'youthism' (leadership of youth) as a curse from God…

Students blowing their minds with drugs and loud music, then dictating national policy to statesmen, illustrates the sluggard's conceit and rash condemnation of experienced counsel.

Students sitting around in dens blowing their minds with pot and acid and with that jungle music turned up to the place where it tortures the eardrum.

30:33 - 30:45 Read in full sermon

The point: If you have a reluctance to seek counsel, examine if it's due to self-conceit or a fear of intensifying guilt about your actions.

Martin recounts instances where he thought an answer was clear but, after seeking counsel from elders, realized he had 'tunnel vision' and missed crucial perspectives, highlighting the value of corporate wisdom.

And time after time, and how I thank God for these fellow elders. When there's been a problem, a circumstance, then I thought the answer was very clear. And I've almost gone to them with the thing just for them to rubber stamp what I had thought was right. When I've dumped the problem out, they've said, oh, have you considered?

37:23 - 37:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Set up guidelines to keep yourself from self-conceit, such as never making important decisions reflexively or hastily, and always seeking counsel from others.

Martin describes having a 'big back burner on the stove' for important decisions, where ideas simmer and are carefully considered before acting, illustrating the guideline of not making hasty decisions.

I've asked God to give me a big back burner on the stove where I keep all the various pots of important decisions. that have to be made. Like what to preach. Right now, there are three or four pots with three or four sermons, series of sermons brewing.

53:17 - 53:33 Read in full sermon