Posted on 12/13/2022 5:34:17 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Proverbs 14:15-16).
“The simple believeth every word,” here is the simple, average newspaper and magazine reader. The typical American that gets all his knowledge from the TV. You try to tell them truth and they aren’t interested, but they believe everything else they hear about sin not being so bad, it won’t hurt you, I can handle it. They believe there is not a thing wrong with what people do privately in their own homes—homosexuality and lesbianism are normal practices. They believe that sin is nothing more than a preferred lifestyle that won’t hurt anyone. It doesn’t matter what the lie they are told, so long as they reason that it sounds good—it must be good.
This is in contrast to the Christian who also believes everything, but it is in relation to the truth. He “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (I Corinthians 13:6-7). His attitude is that if God said it, it is true, and that settles the issue. What is the truth? “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
They are simple concerning the truth. We want to be simpleminded enough to believe whatever God said, but we don’t want to be stupid to believe everything that man has said that contradicts what God has said. Some people believe every word their professor tells them. Don’t believe everything you hear.
“. . . but the prudent man looketh well to his going,” he tries the spirits: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). He is prudent. He is careful. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Don’t be foolish. Don’t make rash decisions. Unwise Christians are one day going in one direction, and then a couple of days later they are going in another direction. It is not that that cannot happen, but it rarely happens where prayer is neglected.
“A wise man feareth,” he fears the consequences of bad choices, “and departeth from evil.” Here is the understanding that Job 28:28 is referring to. This is the absolutely best motive for life, just be afraid of the consequences of our actions. Realize once and for all that you and I will reap what we sow. Where do we possibly get off thinking that we will not?
Too often we justify our sins and kid ourselves by saying that we won’t reap for this one, but yes, we will. It is an inevitable law.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7-8).
Only a fool believes this will not happen.
“. . . but the fool rageth, and is confident,” the fool exclaims, “This is my life and I will do what I want!” Let it be noted that while the fool in Proverbs is generally speaking of the lost man that refuses to submit to God’s authority—it does not preclude believers from acting the fool. There is nothing sadder in this world than a Bible-believing fool. He knows what he ought to be doing, but he makes the choice to sin against the light. The confidence of the fool is misguided, “You got your religion—I’ve got mine!”
People are all the time building on the sand, and one day their confidence will melt like ice on a hot day. It might stand for a while, but God knows how to bring him down.
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