Be Not Wise in Your Own Conceits
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?"
PSALM 12:3-4
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Be Not Wise in Your Own Conceits
Note this word ["with our tongue we will prevail”] , for it is a word of stubbornness, a word of pride and heresy. You must never be so learned that you should not always be ready to hear also the opinion of others, even if you have spoken the truth, but especially when you have spoken doubtful things. From this arise heresies and strife, and in their midst even the truth itself is lost, since truth is not contentious. Romans 12:15: "Be not wise in your own conceits." As a result of this people become incorrigible. Note the example of Jeremiah 28:1ff., and of Moses, Exodus 18:13ff. And the apostle says, 1 Corinthians 14:30: "If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent." For "God is wonderful in His saints" (Psalm 68:35), and in a remarkable way He has the proud and the contentious in derision (Psalm 2:4).
From First Lectures on the Psalms, on Psalm 12 (Luther's Works 10:102)
February 24
PSALM 12:3-4
+
Be Not Wise in Your Own Conceits
Note this word ["with our tongue we will prevail”] , for it is a word of stubbornness, a word of pride and heresy. You must never be so learned that you should not always be ready to hear also the opinion of others, even if you have spoken the truth, but especially when you have spoken doubtful things. From this arise heresies and strife, and in their midst even the truth itself is lost, since truth is not contentious. Romans 12:15: "Be not wise in your own conceits." As a result of this people become incorrigible. Note the example of Jeremiah 28:1ff., and of Moses, Exodus 18:13ff. And the apostle says, 1 Corinthians 14:30: "If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent." For "God is wonderful in His saints" (Psalm 68:35), and in a remarkable way He has the proud and the contentious in derision (Psalm 2:4).
From First Lectures on the Psalms, on Psalm 12 (Luther's Works 10:102)
February 24
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