How Long, O Simple Ones?

The Hebrew word for "the simple" (Proverbs 1:4, 22, 32) is peti. Peti, according to Derek Kidner in his Proverbs commentary, means 'to fool' or to deceive or seduce. It literally means 'open,' which interestingly enough refers to the simple's mentality in life, open. He is open to what anyone tells him. He is open to good and open to evil. Open to the what might be the right way and open to harm's way. He is dangerously open-minded (not a positive quality here). It captures the sense of the one who is gullible, easily led, naive, and irresponsible.

Some might laugh at the thought of being gullible or having a friend who is easy to joke around with and take advantage of (by the way, the word 'gullible' was recently taken out of the dictionary). But the sad thing is, "the simple acquire folly" (Prov 14:18). If the simple does not turn at wisdom's reproof and heed her counsel, then he graduates to a more serious condition. Again, Kidner: "a man who is emptyheaded will end up wrongheaded."

College can be a time when you don't really have an aim in life, you don't have a whole lot of experience being a believer, and the drift towards temptation seems so easy. Well, there is a hope and a warning for such a one. Hope: turn, and wisdom will pour out her spirit to you (1:23). Warning: the simple are killed by their turning away (1:32). 

It's all in how you turn (Heb suv). God is loud and clear through His Word: turn away from sin and turn toward Wisdom (aka Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Col 2:3) alone for salvation.

Psalm 19:7 "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple (peti)."

2 Timothy 3:15 "and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

Don't delay another day. Go to God in prayer. Confess your love for being simple. Acknowledge that you've been in the wrong and He has been right all along. Pray for a healthy fear of God to guide you along in life (1:7; 9:10). Commit your life to a consistently biblical worldview that will bring honor and glory to God.

Delay another day, however, in your simple ways and you may lose the chance to call out to God for life. "For the simple are killed by their turning away, the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster" (Prov 1:32, 33).