Me-Ism

(Proverbs 26:12 KJV)  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

At this point the NASB is more literal when it says “eyes” (5869), which the KJV translates “his own conceit”.  The literal is good but this is one of those places where the interpretive aspect of translation is helpful.  I think that conceit is a common problem today.  We have the label of the “me generation”.  That would apply to every man and woman who has lived on the earth because the basis of sin from the Garden of Eden on has been me-ism.  Human beings rebel against God because they want to be Lord of their own lives.  People reject the life Jesus expects us to live because it demands submission.  Submission does not mix smoothly with modern teachings about self-esteem.  Reaching for the tree in the garden is an attitude supported and reinforced today.

So?  Many times there are teachings that are both/and.  This is an either/or.  Jesus said,

(Matthew 6:24 KJV)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Who am I to tell you differently.  Make wise choices today.