Wise In Their Own Eyes

Jesse Schreck
24 hours ago
3 min read

All not yet surrendered to Christ Jesus are wise in their own eyes.

Do you see a person wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. - Proverbs 26:12

All Unbelievers are Wise in Their Own Eyes

As Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He gave His life to redeem His people. There is great joy for the Christian when he or she evangelizes the lost. We follow in the footsteps of our Lord as we do.

The work of evangelism is supernatural, however, and beyond our natural abilities. We cannot open eyes or change hearts to see and treasure the truth of the Gospel. It is helpful to remember, as we engage in the work of reaching the lost, that every unbeliever is "wise in their own eyes".

How are Unbelievers Wise in Their Own Eyes?

The Bible teaches us that those who reject Christ are blinded by the God of this world (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Deceived by the darkness of their own hearts, unbelievers imagine themselves able to live, breathe, and move about autonomously from God, their Maker. They live in darkness and often fail to see it. At times they argue against the truth about God, failing to see that they depend on the breath that He gives for them to argue in the first place.

Rather than come to the Light that is Christ, they run from the light (John 3:19-21). The unbeliever, wise in his own eyes, suppresses the truth about God (Romans 1:18). He seeks to break the perceived "shackles" of religion so as to live free and determine for himself that which is right and wrong. Oh, the folly of man!

Many live unwilling to accept the realities of being made in the image of God. Motivated by pride, people often prefer to believe the lie that they are cosmic accidents who have arrived here by chance. They prefer to fancy themselves evolved monkeys.

For those who continue to suppress the truth about Jesus as Lord, there is little hope. As Jonathan Edwards once said,

This world is all the hell that ever a true Christian is to endure, and it is all the heaven that unbelievers shall ever enjoy.

But Hope There Is

Evangelists, those who intentionally go to the lost out of love for God and in obedience to Christ's command in the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20), though often seen as fanatics or zealots, are actually peacemakers. The person who is still a slave to sin, actively suppressing the truth, usually tries to avoid conversations about God. But when they providentially encounter God's servants who proclaim the Gospel, they come face to face with reality.

When the living Word of God is proclaimed, the Spirit of God works effectually in the hearts of man.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” - Romans 10:14-15

You, Christian, are here with a purpose. You live a life with the blessed hope found only in the Gospel. You stand on solid ground, the living Word of God. You are not lost. You are not aimless in life. God has great things for you to do. Many around you are still in darkness. Your life, testimony, and proclamation are beacons of light that point the hopeless to the only sure hope in this world: Jesus Christ.

A Prayer

Lord God, help us to never be intimidated by the lost, no matter how intelligent of sophisticated they may appear at times. Your Word teaches us that it is a fool who says there is no God (Psalm 14:). Help us to have hearts of courage, filled with love for God and compassion for the lost. Enable us to keep seeking your strength to play our part in Your redemptive story. Use us, Lord, for the salvation of Your people. Amen.

Want to grow in grace and be a better evangelist?

Check out our Helpful Books on Apologetics page for the believer seeking to be used by God.

Written by Jesse Schreck | founder, director, and missionary church planter in Italy with Practical Missions Cohort

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