Our own understanding

Proverbs 3:5-7 says:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

I think this warning applies to our Biblical understanding as well. While the Word of God is absolute truth, unfortunately our understanding of it is not so absolute.

Sometimes God tells us to do things that we do not understand. In Numbers 21:8 for example, God directed Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole. On the surface, this appears to be a direct violation of one of the ten commandments. We get a more complete understanding of the meaning of this event in John 3:14

Certainly the pharisees had a understanding of the bible. They where so attached to their own understanding that they missed out on experiencing a relationship with God as he walked and taught on this earth.

I have come to believe that prayerless obedience is not really obedience at all. James 1:5 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." If we are not constantly asking for God's wisdom, are we not "Wise in our own eyes"?

As we humble ourselves and pray for His wisdom, we do "acknowledge Him".