Proverbs 9:16
“Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,”
One of the common excuses people use when they do wrong is that they didn’t know it was wrong. For some reason, people think that claiming ignorance is a good excuse to use. There is the mentality that says, “It’s easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission.” This may sound like a good defense, but this is not what the Scriptures teach.
In Proverbs 9, there is a warning to the simple. The simple person is one who is ignorant of life. Being ignorant of life is not an indictment against anyone, it is simply the fact that there are times in everyone’s life when they lack information or knowledge of certain topics. Such was the case in the verse above. The foolish woman made an invitation to the simple young man, and her invitation was appealing. This foolish woman claimed that what she was trying to get the simple young man to do was gratifying and enjoyable, but what she did not tell this young man was that her guests were “in the depths of hell.” The ignorance of this young man was no excuse. In this chapter, some principles are taught to the simple so they will know what to do when they don’t know what to do.
First, realize that as a simple person you are a target. The world is after the simple because they don’t know better. Because you don’t know much about life, the fool will target you by telling you they know everything about life. Be careful! Realize that you have a target on your back that is trying to get you to join the foolish in their misery. You will be more careful about your actions when you realize you’re a target.
Second, don’t listen to every voice or accept every invitation. You are going to hear a lot of voices as a simple person. Every voice, both good and bad, is going to make invitations for your presence. You would be wise to understand that you don’t have to listen to every voice, and you don’t have to accept every invitation. Of course, these voices are going to make their invitations sound attracting, but just because what they say sounds alluring doesn’t mean that it is right. Always remember that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Third, obey the voice of the understanding. There are some constant voices you have had in your life that are voices of understanding. Listen to those voices and heed their warnings. Those voices of understanding are the Scriptures, your parents, preacher, Sunday school teachers and spiritual leaders. When the voices around you invite you to do something, you would be wise to go to the constant and steady voices of understanding and ask them what to do. God put these voices in your life to protect you during these times. He knew you would have voices making enticing invitations, but the simple will be wise if they wait to ask the voices of understanding what they should do before responding to each voice and invitation.
Friend, your simplicity won’t void sin’s consequences. Verse 12 says, “If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” The laws of sowing and reaping still apply even when you are simple or ignorant of what is happening. Ignorance is not an excuse to do wrong. God has given you the guides of the wise and understanding during this time of your life. Listen to them, for they will keep you from having to suffer the consequences of the fool’s actions.