11h • Wisdom
Lofty Eyes
“There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.” Proverbs 30:13
Agur now describes the outward appearance of pride. “Lofty” eyes and “lifted up” eyelids picture a person looking down upon others. Pride begins in the heart, but eventually it affects the way we view people, speak to them, and treat them. Proverbs 6:16-17 says that among the things the LORD hates is “A proud look.”
Pride is especially dangerous because it often hides itself from the person who possesses it. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” The proud person may feel strong, independent, or superior, but God sees pride as weakness because it makes a person unwilling to receive correction, admit fault, or depend upon Him.
Jesus gave the opposite example. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Though Christ was worthy of all honour, He “made himself of no reputation” and “humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7-8). True greatness in Scripture is not found in elevating ourselves above others, but in willingly serving them.
Luke 18 shows this contrast clearly. The Pharisee stood before God comparing himself favourably with other men, while the publican would “not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven” and cried for mercy. Jesus concluded, “for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
Practically, pride often appears in subtle ways: becoming easily offended when corrected, assuming our judgment is better than everyone else's, looking down on people because of their failures, or constantly wanting recognition. Romans 12:3 tells every man “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.”
Proverbs 30:13 should therefore make us examine not only how we act, but how we view others. Do we quietly consider ourselves better, wiser, more disciplined, or more spiritual than those around us? God gives a simple remedy in James 4:10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
The person who constantly tries to lift himself up will eventually be brought low. The person who humbles himself before God can safely leave the lifting to Him.
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Lofty Eyes
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