Wise Choices for the Naive

Thanks for diving into the journey of ‘Wise Up- Everyday Wisdom.’ Do you want to make the best possible decisions in your life? Then, join us as we explore how biblical wisdom can make a difference in our decision making.

In our culture and in Proverbs we see several types of people that we should emulate and those we should not. There’s the fool, the scoffer, the sluggard, the hard worker, the wise and the simple. What does it mean to be simple anyway? Some think it’s a good thing, but the Bible makes it clear there is a contrast between being simple and being wise.

A much better word to describe simple would be naïve. The Hebrew word ‘simple’ means to be inexperienced, wide or open to deception. Many bible scholars agree that the word describes one who has undecided views, susceptible to good or bad influences, easily persuaded, allured or trapped.

You and I can prevent making unwise decisions by knowing what God says about being naïve.
First, the naïve can be too trusting.

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. 

                                                                                                                       Prov. 14:15
Yes, trust is a positive character quality, but trusting in whatever is said to us is quite another matter. The naïve are targets of get rich quick schemes, real estate scams and various miraculous products. Too many millionaire pro athletes have made a living with their bodies and not their brains and have ended up broke.

As children trust their parents they tend to trust their teachers and others. This is why positions of trust should never be taken lightly. Being too trusting has led to all manner of abuses. Millions have been ripped off by trusting in people who have not proven themselves trustworthy. Countless people have trusted cultic pied pipers like Jim Jones and David Koresh.

We need to trust, but trust must be earned and verified. Maybe some of us need to say,  ”Sorry for trusting you, it won’t happen again.”

Secondly, the naïve love their condition.
How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? Prov.1:22
God’s wisdom (Hebrew word hokma) confronts the naïve that are settled in their ways. They enjoy being so open minded so they don’t have to make a value judgment.  The naïve let others do the thinking for them. It’s easier that way, and less trouble than thinking for themselves. This is especially true when they hear what they want to hear.

Thirdly, the naïve lack moral sense.Many teenagers want more freedom, but want their parents to pay for the consequences of their choices. As adults we hopefully learn to make our own decisions and accept the results. The naïve do not think beyond their own immediate gratification of pleasant appearances nor see the consequences.

Solomon warned his son that his choices would not only injure himself but those around him as well.
Prov.6:6-23

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Prov. 22:3

Have we become a Nation of the Naïve? Have we become so lulled into thinking that the trivial material things of our culture are nirvana? Has deception clouded our moral compass that doing the right thing is one of several options? The wise sees behind the flattery of various options because they desire God’s wisdom on a matter, but the naive seek out the opinions of others just like them. And so it goes…

Naïve happens. The good news is that there is hope for us all. Stay tuned.

With the Hope of God’s Wisdom,

Mark