“Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”

The focus of this verse is how the internal condition of pride is reflected in the outward appearance of a person’s life—everything from the look in their eyes to the state of their circumstances. I don’t drink, but if I did, I hope I would be a happy drunk. I’m not even sure I’m comfortable saying that, but the point is this: most of us have witnessed how a person can be transformed after having enough to drink to alter their personality. In a similar way, a prideful person often presents an outgoing, cheerful appearance that hides the true condition of their soul. However, this appearance is, at best, a temporary façade. The work of their life—even on its best day—is like an unplowed, ill-prepared, and unproductive field. Solomon uses a familiar image from his time. In our day, it might be represented by an old junkyard full of rusted, broken-down cars. The prideful person thinks he’s standing at the doors of a high-end car dealership, but he is deceived. A life lived without God’s indwelling Spirit is bankrupt and misleading. Pride, in that situation, is foolish. A life filled with God’s presence, on the other hand, rejects pride and radiates beauty. It is surrounded by a garden of abundant, delicious fruit. As followers of Christ, we know we did not produce the fruit. Today, humbly point to the Gardener. #BeTheEdge

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” Jesus