Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

And lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him,

And he shall direct thy paths.
King James Version

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.
New International Version

Faith & Trust

These verses contain invaluable wisdom about how to relate to God in a way that leads to lifelong blessing and direction. Solomon exhorts his readers to fully trust in the Lord rather than depend on their own intellect or discernment.

Trusting God with “all your heart” means devotion to God should permeate every aspect of one’s inner being. People are prone to rely on their own reasoning and understanding to navigate life’s decisions and challenges. However, Solomon urges complete trust in God rather than self-reliance.

He further warns against “leaning” on one’s own understanding, implying a bending or depending on one’s own limited perspectives. Rather than independently scheming and planning, believers are called to submit their ways to the Lord for His leading and guidance.

The promise is that when believers trust and submit to God with their whole hearts, declining to depend on their own wisdom, He “will make your paths straight.” As the all-wise, sovereign God, He can direct one’s life journey in the very best way. Straight paths represent living wisely, avoiding detours and pitfalls.

In summary, Proverbs 3:5-6 provides critical instructions for believers to rely fully on the Lord rather than their own understanding. By learning to trust in God’s purposes and plans over their own, they will experience the blessing of God-directed paths that lead to purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life.

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