A Lesson On Being
Fleeceable for the Naïve And Simple Minded
Dear reader, the following brief response presents
important truths concerning the simple minded who will believe anything they
are told. The exact nature of the discussion that produced the response is not
nearly as important as learning that a proper study of God’s Word, the
bible, will make the gullible wise.
Hello ___________,
You stated and
rightly so, "It amazes me just how gullible Christians can be."
A great Bible
text that points to being easily seduced is Proverbs ch.
8 vss. 5. Hear Solomon, "O ye simple, understand
wisdom: and, ye fools, be of an understanding heart." The word "simple" here means
"silly (i.e. seducible)” (Strong's
Help, #6612). The "fool" is one who is stupid or silly (Strong's Help, #3684). By contrast the "understanding
heart" is a heart that is instructed in God's Word, the bible, and thus
one that can discern such foolishness as is the basis of this
discussion. The word "prudence" may be applied to those who are
evil as well as those who are wise. Men skilled in deception and ploys are
"crafty" with what they do and thus deceive the simple minded.
Consider
this, "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going," (Proverbs 14 vs. 15). One mark of the simple minded is they
believe everything they are told! Thus
they are easily seduced and destroyed by covetous false teachers who use wordly arts. The contrast between the two, the wise
and stupid, is clearly stated: "A wise man is feareth and
departeth from evil (turns away): but the
fool rageth and is confident" (Prov.
What Are
The Simple Minded Known For?
1. They believe “every word” – their
mind is “open” and anyone can convince them of just about thing! (See points
above).
2. They go headlong
without exercising caution. Proverbs 22:3 says "A
prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple
pass on, and are punished."
3. You will find them in places where they
can fulfill their "lusts."
Their "hasting with their feet" (Pr. ch. 19 vs.2) always involves their feet putting them
where their "lust" in their heart is satisfied. They love the show!
4. The folly of fools is the deceit!
(See Prov. 14 vs. 8 above).
Without knowledge of the Bible they are vulnerable for the covetous false
teachers and easy prey. Just like the young man in Proverbs who is
warned about adultery but, being void of understanding, "He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth
to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; [23] Till a
dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to
the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his
life" (Prov. 7 vss.
22-23).
5. They are stubborn and will not heed the
warnings given! Hear
the warning for all fools in their various situations that fulfill their lusts - "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that
without remedy" (Proverbs 29 vs. 1).
6. They make foolishness their inheritance
or possession!
Hear this, "The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned
with knowledge" (Prov.
7. They rationalize that their need
is being fulfilled.
Oh how pleasing it is to be honored to follow the flattering pathway of seduction and destruction without ever having to hear that you are a fool!
8. They are lacking in knowledge and
instruction on the worldly art of using kind speech as flattery.
Here is one warning: "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do
they speak" (Ps. 12 verse 2).
The most popular preachers
in
Friend,
it is the Bible that makes the simple minded wise: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the
soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps. 19:7).
The word "sure" means "to build up or support," thus
protect against seduction. And the word "simple"?
Of course, it means one who is "silly" or "seducible"
- one who believe everything they are told!
Regards,
B.L.