Raging Against Sound Judgment

by Chadwick Brewer

“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment” (Proverbs 18:1).

In this context, Solomon is talking about isolating from counsel and advice. When we know what we want and are fully convinced it's best for us, we pull away from counsel and advice. When we know what is best, we conclude that we don't need anyone else’s input. They don’t know what I know. They couldn’t understand what I understand. They have never been in my situation.

But more than that, we begin to rage against wise judgment. We start to feel they are against us or against our happiness. We feel misunderstood, uncared for, and persecuted. We can lash out or isolate ourselves further. We entrench ourselves in the belief that we are the only one who knows.

But Solomon has already named this man in Proverbs 12:15; he is a fool. It’s a fool who rejects wise counsel and keeps his own. It’s a fool who trusts in his own understanding. When you see yourself falling into this pattern of thought and behavior, be warned and make changes.

Ask: Do I seek counsel, or only confirmation? Do I listen when someone challenges what I have already decided? When wise people disagree with me, do I consider their words, or assume they are against me?