Where there is strife, there is pride
Proverbs 13:10 - To find the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, we need look no further than Jesus, who lived a perfect life of humility and obedience to the Father.
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“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Proverbs 13:10 NIV
More of the wisdom of Solomon today! The importance of humility is a thread that weaves through the tapestry of scripture, especially in Proverbs. Pride — focusing on one’s self and thinking you are better than everyone else — creates strife. If you want to find a prideful person, simply look for the strife and chaos they create with their love of self.
Adam Clarke, quoted on Enduring Word, had this to say about pride and its tendency to create discord:
ii. “Perhaps there is not a quarrel among individuals in private life, nor a war among nations, that does not proceed from pride and ambition…. It was to destroy this spirit of pride, that Jesus was manifested in the extreme of humility and humiliation among men. The salvation of Christ is a deliverance from pride, and a being clothed with humility. As far as we are humble, so far we are saved.” (Clarke)1
Many of us have probably known someone in our lifetime who was always so sure that he or she was correct on every topic under the sun that they were absolutely insufferable. Those people are usually at the center of trouble, simply because of their stubborn pride.
Solomon points out that the wise person is open to advice from others, like the young man in today’s image who is listening to two older men who have probably made the same mistakes and asked the same questions as him. It’s the willingness and openness to realize that you don’t know everything that is a sign of your humility and that you are open to advice from others.
Of course, not all advice is good advice — that’s where the scriptural attribute of discernment (being able to sift correct information from a mixed torrent of words) is important. Comparing the advice you receive from others against both biblical knowledge and the indwelling counsel of the Holy Spirit is a true sign of wisdom.
What we learn from the Bible is that wisdom is more than just knowledge — we display wisdom when we apply our understanding of things in a way that is aligned perfectly with God’s will. The biblical wisdom literature (Proverbs in particular) hammers home the point that seeking and valuing the input of others is important, since no single person has the answers to everything.
We should ask God for wisdom more than anything. In James 1:5, we are advised “If any of you asks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” To find the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, we need look no further than Jesus, who lived a perfect life of humility and obedience to the Father and is described in 1 Corinthians 1:24 as the “power of God and the wisdom of God”
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Knowing Jesus:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the words of wisdom that are found in Scripture. Keep me from prideful insolence and destructive strife and teach me to walk in your way, to receive wisdom, and to be willing to learn from godly counsel. Help me to take to heart all that is written in Your Word, and enable me, in the power of the Spirit, to apply all that I learn in my everyday life so that I may not only be a good and faithful witness of Your love and grace, but be a member of Your Body that honours Your holy name. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
Commentary quotations from Enduring Word are used with the written permission of the author
BibleHub was accessed on September 15, 2025 for commentary on Proverbs 13:10
Clarke, Adam "Clarke's Commentary: The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments with a Commentary and Critical Notes" Volume 3 (Job-Song of Solomon) (New York: Eaton and Mains, 1827)