The Less You Do, The Less You Want to Do

Proverbs 26:10–19
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It’s no smarter to shoot arrows at every passerby than it is to hire a fool (v. 10). Just as a dog eats its own vomit, so will a fool return to his own evil habits (v. 11). This is a picture of a person who professes to know the Lord and lives for a time in an upright way, but when exposed to old temptations turns back to them with enthusiasm. This only proves that the heart had never really been renewed. A dog in Scripture never illustrates a believer, but is often used to picture a false teacher.

There is less hope for a man who thinks he is great because of his own abilities and accomplishments than there is for an out-and-out fool who does not pretend to do anything  (v. 12). An example of this type of person is the Pharisees who were filled with the conceit of their wisdom and rejected the  counsel of Jesus. Self conceit or pride blinds a person to his sense of need and at least a fool  may sense his need for correction.

A sluggard is a lazy person who is always inventing excuses for not working (vv. 13-14). He is almost too lazy to lift food from the dish to his mouth (v. 15). This type of person sticks to his opinions and defends his views even when the disgust of others is evident (v. 16). One who grabs a dog by the ears may expect to be bitten (v. 17). The same is true of someone who gets involved in other peoples’ quarrels (vv. 18-19). It is best to stay out of others’ quarrels and let them settle their own differences between themselves.

Application

What is your opinion of yourself? It is easy for me to either think too highly of myself or to think I am not good enough to do anything. Philippines 4:13 shows us a proper self-image.