“You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.”
The word translated prudence in this verse is also translated wisdom. In this form of the word it is actually best described today by the word subtlety. There is a wide distinction between the simple and the wise or subtle. The simple in this use by Solomon is not necessarily a bad person. They are just not very deep or discerning. The problem for them comes in when we realize the “simple” is literally, “open,” i. e. fatally open to evil. You see just as they are very impressionable to good they are equally available to bad. We all know people who have been called simple minded. It can conjure up a picture of harmless innocence. Well that is not what Solomon wants us to picture. He instead is promoting a mind of wise prudence, subtility. The word literally means “The refinement in argument or speculation; use of fine distinctions.” In other words those people can at times be accused of over thinking or looking for too many details before making a decision. He wants both the simple and the foolish to stop and consider their choices. Right and wrong in most things is clear. The simple and foolish believe bad reasoning, sometimes from a good heart. Not to get political but my 4 year old granddaughter knows the difference between boys and girls. When a society wanders away and down confusing, self serving and dark roads that lead away from God’s simple, discoverable truth they are in trouble. Today use the discernment God gave you and walk in His light. #BeTheEdge
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
