The People of Proverbs

The Simple

The Simple or Naive

The term in Hebrew literally means “one who is open”.

Defined: “one of undecided views and hence susceptible to either good or bad influences.”

It includes all children, almost all youth, and sadly many adults

The Simple or Naive

He needs wisdom in order to guard his life from the evil which crouches ready to devour him due to his simple ways.

The Simple or Naive

Scripture must become a sieve to aid in the discerning of information entering his mind.

I. The Characteristics of the Simple

A. Open minded• He can be led in may directions – he doesn’t

know where he is going. • Contrasted to the prudent (shrewd) who

walks a straight path.• If a person is persuasive or personable the

simple will believe regardless of the facts.• Seldom perceive contradictions, unable to

perceive the facts.

Proverbs 14:15 (NET) A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.

I. The Characteristics of the Simple

B. The Simple love their Condition– There is pride in being open minded– Can’t see the dangerous consequences of

their behavior.

Proverbs 1:20-22 20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words: 22 “How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

I. The Characteristics of the Simple

C. The simple lacks good sense and shrewdness in practical affairs.

1. He is easily taken in by the seducer. He does not seek it out but is sucked into it.

2. He has little foresight of the impending danger.

Proverbs 7:7 and I saw among the naive – I discerned among the youths – a young man who lacked wisdom.Proverbs 7:22-23 22 Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to

the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper’s snare 23 till an arrow pierces his liver – like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 7:9-17 9 in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of the night. 10 Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. 11 (She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home – 12 at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.) 13 So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, 14 “I have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! 15

That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you! 16 I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, with richly colored fabric from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

I. The Characteristics of the Simple

D. The simple seek out the simple. They walk to their deaths with company.

Proverbs 9:13-18 (NET)13 The woman called Folly is brash, she is naive and does not know anything. 14 So she sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15 calling out to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on their way. 16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,” she says to those who lack understanding. 17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!” 18 But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

I. The Characteristics of the Simple

E. The simple are ignorant of their character.Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.

What will happen to the Simple?

II. What will happen to the Simple?

A. His simple ways may kill him.Parents protect the simplicity of the child.

We don’t let little kids play in the street.

Proverbs 1:31-32 31 Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel. 32 For the waywardness of the simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.

What will happen to the Simple?

B. He inherits what he is. Because there is no substance to his character, he receives nothing.Proverbs 14:18 The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.

II. What will happen to the Simple?

C. The Lord protects us in our naïveté.God has compassion and makes provisions for the simple.

Psalm 116:6 The Lord protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.

Numbers 15:27-28 27 “‘If any person sins unintentionally, then he must bring a yearling female goat for a purification offering. 28 And the priest must make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally – when he sins unintentionally before the Lord – to make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.

III. The Simple can be corrected

A. He can learn from the discipline and fall of others.Proverbs 19:25 Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11 When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

III. The Simple can be corrected

B. He can learn through instruction in God’s Word.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

Psalm 119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.

Wisdom begins with:Proverbs 1:7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of

moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Romans 6:23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.