Raging Against Sound Judgment

Chad Brewer

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

In the context, Solomon is talking about isolating from counsel and advice. When we know what we want, and we are fully convinced about what is best for ourselves, we pull away from counsel and advice. In knowing what is best, we conclude that we do not 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 develop the feeling that 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?  (Related Article)