Being Open Is Simple

(Proverbs 9:16 KJV)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

The idea of being “simple” (naive NASB) (6612a) is also seen in reference to the woman tempting this young man in verse 13.  The words in English are the same but slightly different in the Hebrew.  Both come from the same root.  It is the root that we need to understand.  The root means “spacious, wide, open”.  Somewhere else I noticed that being simple means having an open mind.

The danger of being open is not a willingness to wrestle with new ideas.  The danger is in wrestling with no awareness of the rules.  In the pagan world there are no limitations on what is allowed except your own sense of well being.  Thus we get the idea, “If it feels good, do it”.  We glorify self-actualization and self-esteem and all the other selfs.  The wise, on the other hand, understand that when you run your finger down a sharp knife you cut yourself and when you cut yourself you bleed and if you don’t stop the bleeding you die.

So?  An open gate is one thing.  An open highway is a joy.  An open mind can be a disaster.