Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 1:22.
“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?
How long will scoffers delight in their scorn
and fools hate knowledge?”
There have been a few times in my life when I dug myself into a hole and then kept on digging. I’ll bet you have too. One pundit asked, what is the first thing you do when you dig yourself into a hole. The answer is: stop digging. I wish I had known that sooner.
Today’s proverb tells us about three kinds of people who do not stop digging. They keep on messing up and never repent. They are: the simple, the scorners, and the fools. This text tells us how to identify them.
Number 1. The simple:
The simple are naive, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad.
Number 2. The scorners:
The texts asked, “ How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?” Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them. When God or righteousness comes up, their answer is always contempt.
Number 3. The fools:
Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction. They are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.”’ (Psalms 14:1).
A simpleton, a scorner, and a fool.
I try avoiding being any of those three. It doesn’t end well for them.
Lonnie Davis