Proverbs 9:4
“Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,”
Everyone starts out simple at some point in their life. Being simple is not an indictment against someone, it simply means that you are new at something and that you have plenty to learn. However, nobody stays simple. You will either turn into a fool or scorner, or you will be wise enough to control three areas of your life that will help lead you to understanding.
The first area you must control are your actions. Verse 6 says, “Forsake the foolish…” In other words, there must come a point in your life when you forsake foolish actions. I’ve often said that everyone needs to grow up. There are some things that you expect from youth that you don’t expect from adults. Let me simply say that adults need to stop acting like they are still teenagers. Foolish actions lead to foolish living. If an adult never puts away childish actions, then you can expect them to become a fool.
Furthermore, youth need to start growing up and stop acting foolishly. Just because you are a youth does not give you a license to act foolishly. If you want the respect of an adult, then act like one. Stop using your youth as an excuse to act foolishly. At some point you need to put away foolish actions so that those who are wise will want to be around you.
The second area you must control are your associations. Verse 6 continues to say, “…go in the way of understanding.” Your associations will influence what you become. If you want to become someone who is wise, then you need to spend time with wise people. This is why God says in the same verse, “Forsake the foolish, and live…” Your associations identify what you are becoming. If you don’t like what people say about you, then change your associations and be sure to associate with those who have a good reputation. If you need wisdom, then choose to associate with people who are wise in the areas where you are simple.
The third area you must control is your acceptance of instruction and rebuke. Verse 8 says, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” The person who won’t accept advice is the person who is headed down the road towards destruction. At some point you are going to have to stop getting upset with those who are trying to help you and start listening to them. Only the fool will act like they know everything. Learn to listen to the instruction of those who know what they are doing instead of giving your opinion.
Furthermore, you must readily take rebuke with a humble spirit. Rebuke is never an easy pill to swallow, but you must quietly and humbly take it so that you can learn from your mistakes. If rebuke causes you to get upset and shut off those who are trying to help, then you are headed down the road to foolishness. Everybody is going to make a mistake that must be rebuked, and what you do with rebuke reveals your heart.
These three areas will ultimately determine what becomes of the simple person. Likewise, these three areas will determine what becomes of a wise person. Guard these three areas in your life so that your life will enjoy the benefits of wisdom and understanding.