Don't Lean on Your Own Understanding

Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Last week I shared what I believe to be the two main things which hold people back from taking action on behalf of obedience: 

• Fear of man

• Lack of understanding

Again, these are really in no particular order because they work in tandem with each other. It is because obedience requires us to walk with limited understanding that we fear what people will think (since we often don't know the outcome of something ourselves).

Last week we talked about the fear of man, so this week we’ll talk about understanding—that we have to be intentional not to lean on it. 

As humans, we have a deep desire for understanding to direct our path rather than God. We want to be able to predict an outcome and operate our lives accordingly. But, while research and learning and strategic planning are not bad in and of themselves (they’re actually good!), when we have them, we must refrain from leaning on them. Because, the more understanding we have, the more tempted we can be to lean on it. 

What we lean on is what supports our weight—and only the understanding of God is strong enough to support the weight of our lives.

So, if you’re hesitant to step because you don’t understand—and/or you can't predict the outcome—then you’re probably exactly where God wants you;) 

Or, if you have stepped, but the outcome has not been what you anticipated—and therefore you don’t understand—then be encouraged. Our responsibility is obedience, and God’s responsibility is all the rest. The result of our obedience is in God’s hands, and sometimes that result can’t be understood in the moment. Sometimes the fruit of obedience can only be understood as time goes by—and sometimes it will only be understood when we see Jesus face to face. 

So, trust God, don’t lean on your understanding, and let God direct your path.