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.