Simple or wise

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SIMPLE OR WISE

Prov 21:11

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

NIV

The first thing we need to understand is exactly who is this mocker. We know from our investigation when looking into the 1^st Psalm the mocker is one who makes mouth at, which is indicated toward God. To make mouth at God is no less than blasphemy. This could also be seen as one who teaches or preaches false doctrine, or false religion. A mocker, a scorner at the truth of God, making up their own set of beliefs to lead people astray becoming both followers and supporters of this false mouth. We certainly saw evidence of that in the scriptures and in our human history throughout the ages and now see it in our current society. Silver tongues speaking what the desires of the human heart wants to hear, rather than what it needs to hear. This proverb speaks to the issue of when one of this individuals is found out and punished for their crimes against God and society, the simple gain wisdom. Now we know who those followers of the silver tongue mockers are, the simple. This would indicate a simple minded person, unable to discern the truth of God for themselves. The simple minded are lead down a path of false doctrine like sheep to a slaughter. The mocker has been defined in scripture as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Matt 7:15

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing , but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

NIV

The simple sheep allow this ferocious wolf to devour them up with his falsehoods. But they gain wisdom when this mocker is outed and punished. Now seeing the truth of the mockers false teaching, or at least the truth that the mocker was not true, the simple are now made aware of their need for true teaching. This is where true believers come it. This is where we who are not endeavoring to gain followers and supporter, but merely are trying to serve the Lord as he directs, give the simple the truth. We are able to instruct them in knowledge about God, about his word, about their freedom from the bonds of sin. Every true believer, every true follower of Jesus should be able to impart the knowledge of God in truth. The problem is there are so many voices out their preaching something other than the truth. This is why we have the Spirit and his gift of discernment. Yet it seems too many earnest seekers of the truth are listening to some silver tongued mocker spewing false doctrine on the airwaves. This is the importance of the gifts of the Spirit to the church. One is the gift of pastor/teacher. A local pastor, a local shepherd who knows his flock and his flock know him. A shepherd who lives his or hers life in front of the flock. Jesus said we know his voice and listen only to the shepherds voice. This is so important, yet even within this scenario we have all the different denominations with their slight differences in beliefs. But if the main points are the same, it is the same truth. We are sinners saved by grace. If we are going to see the kingdom of God we must be born again. Faith in Jesus Christ without adding anything to this faith, is all sufficient to be saved. What else do we need? Of course the scripture is full of instruction as to how we should live out this life of faith. Here is where the wise get their knowledge. Let us always be among the wise and never allow anyone to deceive us, making us the simple.