Bible Reading: Proverbs 1
Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
The Proverbs give us three classes of people who don’t listen to the Word of God. The simple one, the scorner and the fool are all devoid of understanding. These are like three degrees of hardness or three rungs on a downward ladder of reprobation. To be simple is to be young, immature and foolish in understanding. The word is used three times in this chapter of Proverbs. The purpose of the Proverbs is:
Proverbs 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A young person is simple because they do not yet have knowledge and discretion. The book of Proverbs is designed for older disciples to use with younger disciples to help them learn wisdom. To be simple is not a sin – to stay simple is. A simple man who is young in the Lord has the opportunity to become subtile. He can learn knowledge and discretion.
Unfortunately, some people like to remain simple. They love simplicity. They love immaturity. They refuse to grow. Solomon did not want this for his son. He knew that it would lead to disaster. To stay simple, one must continually turn away from the Words of God.
Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
A person who stays simple has to ignore the Word of God. It is my prayer that we will not stay simple. We must listen to the Word of Jesus and obey. Let us pray that we will have ears to hear what the Spirit says this year.
In Christ,
Rody
