Day 187
Proverbs 26:12
"Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him."
One of the worst states we can find ourselves in is one of conceit. When we are always right or always have the better idea, we become unpleasant to be around and are in great danger of becoming self-deceived. The more learned we become, the more we have to watch out for conceit. Knowledge can be harmful without wisdom on how to use it.
Our way may be the best way. However, if we are in a group, and ours has been the best way for the last 19 out of 20 times, perhaps we should settle for someone else's second best idea, without making it known that we think our idea is the best. After all, what we are considering is only our personal opinion. (We are not dealing with hard facts and figures that cannot be disputed.) For example, the picture on the wall may look better two inches to the left, but if we have. adjusted the last IO pictures, perhaps this one should be left alone and admired as it is. It may disturb us, but there are many more people involved who are not disturbed. We can just pretend they are right for a change.
It is not to our advantage to have it our way all the time. Always being right can lead to a lonely, miserable life. Solomon says there is more hope for a fool than for a man who knows a lot, but is not teachable. Humility should be practiced. We must not fail to give our opinions to help things turn out better. However, we must find a balance, so brilliance does not become a burden.
I will monitor my conduct among those I live and work with. I will practice humility. When my suggestions and opinions are a potential nuisance, I will yield to the suggestions and opinions of others. I will encourage them verbally or through silence and pleasant gestures.