The document discusses "the simple" or naive person in Proverbs. It describes their characteristics as open-minded, loving their naive condition, and lacking good sense. As a result, the simple are easily led astray and don't foresee potential dangers. The document states the simple will either die from their own foolishness or only inherit folly. However, it notes the simple can be corrected through instruction in God's word or learning from the discipline of others. Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord.

1. The People of Proverbs
The Simple

2. The Simple or Naive
The term in Hebrew literally means “one
who is open”.
Defined: “one of undecided views and hence
susceptible to either good or bad
influences.”

3. It includes all children, almost all
youth, and sadly many adults

4. The Simple or Naive
He needs wisdom in order to guard his life
from the evil which crouches ready to
devour him due to his simple ways.

5. The Simple or Naive
Scripture must become a sieve to aid in the
discerning of information entering his
mind.

6. I. The Characteristics of the Simple
A. Open minded
• He can be led in may directions – he doesn’t
know where he is going.
• Contrasted to the prudent (shrewd) who
walks a straight path.
• If a person is persuasive or personable the
simple will believe regardless of the facts.
• Seldom perceive contradictions, unable to
perceive the facts.
Proverbs 14:15 (NET) A naive person
believes everything, but the shrewd
person discerns his steps.

7. I. The Characteristics of the Simple
B. The Simple love their Condition
– There is pride in being open minded
– Can’t see the dangerous consequences of
their behavior.
Proverbs 1:20-22 20
Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts
loudly in the plazas; 21
at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in
the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words: 22
“How
long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers
delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

8. I. The Characteristics of the Simple
C. The simple lacks good sense and
shrewdness in practical affairs.
1. He is easily taken in by the seducer.
He does not seek it out but is sucked into it.
2. He has little foresight of the impending
danger.
Proverbs 7:7 and I saw among the naive – I
discerned among the youths – a young man
who lacked wisdom.
Proverbs 7:22-23 22
Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to
the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper’s snare 23
till an
arrow pierces his liver – like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does
not know that it will cost him his life.
Proverbs 7:9-17 9
in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of
the night. 10
Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She
was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. 11
(She
is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home – 12
at
one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by
every corner she lies in wait.) 13
So she grabbed him and
kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, 14
“I
have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! 15
That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I
found you! 16
I have spread my bed with elegant coverings,
with richly colored fabric from Egypt. 17
I have perfumed my
bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

9. I. The Characteristics of the Simple
D. The simple seek out the simple. They
walk to their deaths with company.
Proverbs 9:13-18 (NET)13
The woman called Folly is brash, she is
naive and does not know anything. 14
So she sits at the door of
her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15
calling out
to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on
their way. 16
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,” she says to
those who lack understanding. 17
“Stolen waters are sweet, and
food obtained in secret is pleasant!” 18
But they do not realize that
the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

10. I. The Characteristics of the Simple
E. The simple are ignorant of their
character.Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and
hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for
it.

11. What will happen to the
Simple?

12. II. What will happen to the Simple?
A. His simple ways may kill him.
Parents protect the simplicity of the child.
We don’t let little kids play in the street.
Proverbs 1:31-32 31
Therefore they will eat from the
fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their
own counsel. 32
For the waywardness of the
simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of
fools will destroy them.

13. What will happen to the Simple?
B. He inherits what he is. Because there is
no substance to his character, he receives
nothing.
Proverbs 14:18 The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd
are crowned with knowledge.

14. II. What will happen to the Simple?
C. The Lord protects us in our naïveté.
God has compassion and makes
provisions for the simple.
Psalm 116:6 The Lord protects the untrained; I
was in serious trouble and he delivered me.
Numbers 15:27-28 27
“‘If any person sins
unintentionally, then he must bring a yearling female
goat for a purification offering. 28
And the priest must
make atonement for the person who sins
unintentionally – when he sins unintentionally before
the Lord – to make atonement for him, and he will be
forgiven.

15. III. The Simple can be corrected
A. He can learn from the discipline and fall
of others.
Proverbs 19:25 Flog a scorner, and as a result the
simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning
person, and as a result he will understand
knowledge.
Proverbs 21:11 When a scorner is punished, the
naive becomes wise; when a wise person is
instructed, he gains knowledge.

16. III. The Simple can be corrected
B. He can learn through instruction in God’s
Word.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves
one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and
impart wisdom to the inexperienced.
Psalm 119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through
which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.

17. Wisdom begins with:
Proverbs 1:7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of
moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and
instruction.
Romans 6:23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9 because if you confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will
be saved.