Some Christians run through life like a panicked soldier runs through a minefield.
They give little or no thought to their choices, that is, where they plant their feet,
or the dangers inherent in those choices.
The Bible calls these folks “simple.” They are not fools; they lack understanding.
Proverbs 27:12 says, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple
go on and suffer for it.” The simple lack discernment, which is why they do not see
the danger, proceed anyway and suffer for it. Or this verse could be translated to
mean the simple see the danger and go ahead despite the danger. Either way, the
simple suffer. But there is hope for the simple.
Proverbs 19:25 says, “Flog a mocker, and the simple will beware…” They CAN
learn, although it takes some doing. Proverbs 1:4 says that the sayings of the wise
“give prudence to those who are simple.”
There is little hope for a fool, however, because they think they know everything.
Proverbs 27:22 says, “Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like
grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.”
But God calls out to the simple and the fool alike to leave their simple and foolish
ways behind them to be reconciled to God. Prov. 9:6 says, “Leave your simple
ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” And Prov. 8:5 says, “O simple
ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.”
Are you wise? Then continue to walk in wisdom. Do not leave the right path. Are
you simple? Then turn to Jesus Christ and His Word to find understanding. Are
you a fool? Then stop and consider that you don’t know everything. That there is
a world of wisdom outside your understanding, and you need to seek it.
May God help us to seek Him and His ways always for they are the path to life!