Simple or Prudent Bible Study

There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators."' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiator contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch-defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Martin Luther King Jr. April 16th, 1963. This was written 45 years ago. Does this sound familiar? There were many Christians that recognized the problems that were coming in the near future. They, could see these things coming, but we cannot see them and these problems affect our lives daily. The church has become very weak in a spiritual manner. If we look at the church world wide it seems that the church is this massive powerhouse fueling the world. This is true but the fuel is not the Word of God. The fuel is of false prophets and of Satan himself. The true word of God has been counted unworthy in today’s society. It is not practical and not something people want to hear because the true Word of God tells us to live for Him and not for us. We must get far from this type of thinking. I feel like this is what I say all the time and sometimes my family gets tired of hearing it but I know this is what the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart and I must obey. Are we a thermometer or a thermostat? Are we listening to what God wants or are we pretending we do not know what God wants? Are we choosing to not know the Word of God? 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 1:7 (KJV) We must not despise wisdom and instruction. We must seek them. 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Prov 1:22 (KJV) Are we simple ones and do we love simplicity? Hebrew Word: ‏פֶּתִי‎ Transliteration: petî Phonetic Pronunciation: peth-ee' or pethiy, peh'-thee; silly (i.e. seducible) :- foolish, simple (-icity, one). Are we (seducible)? I think the church has become seducible and foolish. The words simple ones and simplicity in both scriptures mean the same thing. This word is also used for foolish in the bible. 6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Prov 7:6-23 (KJV) I belive the man here is naïve and untaught in moral understanding because it says that he was void of understanding. I think the woman can be seen as a false prophet or Satan or a fallen angel. All of these are our enemies and we must be aware of them. Let’s look at the woman. She is dressed like a harlot. This automatically gives her intentions away. We know what she has on her mind. Her character is loud and stubborn and her movements are all about the town. She gave him something to entice him to get his attention. She tells him of the wonderful place she has for them. The goodman is not at home so no one will ever know. The next verses show us how the penalty for this will be death and the man does not even know it. Why is this? He is void of understanding. Many times we want to be void of understanding so we will not be held accountable for what we do. This will not keep us from judgement and this will not keep us from the punishment that is promised to all who continue to sin. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. Prov 14:12-16 (KJV) Does the way we live seem right to man? If the way you live seems right to man and your life does not line up completely with the Word of God, GUESS WHICH ONE IS WRONG!! The bible is not wrong and the world is wrong. That word simple is here again and it means seducible. Are we seducible? Are we? The simple believeth every word, but not the prudent man. Lets be prudent. Prudent PRU'DENT, a. Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures or actions; cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful utility, or probably impracticable. The prudent man looketh well to his going. Prov 14. A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself. Prov 22. 1. Dictated or directed by prudence; as prudent behavior. 2. Foreseeing by instinct; as the prudent crane. 3. Wise; intelligent. 10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. Amos 9:10 (KJV) We cannot say that the evil shall not overtake us nor prevent us. When we do this we leave ourselves open for attack. The truth is the evil does overtake us or we would not sin. We would keep God first in our everyday lives. We would think of him first in the morning and last at night. We would never want to take a break from being a Christian and we would never want to be known as anything else than His children. God is God not a hobby. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) There is a war going on daily that the enemy is well prepared for. The enemy is always looking for a weakness and he is patient. Lets make it a way of life to be prudent. Lets not be seducible but let us find the truth that God wants for us and then lets live that truth 100% without the influence to the world and without doubt and without a care of what the heathen or the half Christians think about us. LETS BE GODS PEOPLE NOW AND FOR ETERNITY!!