Simple = ‘Open minded, naïve, and Seducible’
Clay Curtis

When the scriptures speak of the worldly man being "simple" it is translated from a word which means "open-minded, naïve, and seducible." (Pr 1: 20-23.) It is the way of man that seems right to all men by nature. (Pr 16: 25.) Solomon illustrates this mind by describing a young man wandering through the street, lured by the flattering speech of a married woman (Pr 7:6-23.)

Again, Solomon describes the simple of the world as those taken in by a woman speaking very loudly into the street, who sits in the most affluent part of town appearing reputable so as to gain a following, calling on those who would otherwise continue passing by her in the way they should go. Yet, she insults them as being narrow and promises to teach them a wider understanding by enticing her hearers with bread and water that only she can provide (Pro 9: 13-18.) This is a description of a false gospel, which is designed to please sinful man. That subtle message which mingles ever so slightly our contribution to Christ's work is the stolen bread and water that is sweet to the sinful desires. Like the adulterous woman, it is a gospel perfumed and adorned with that which most attracts our fleshly understanding-- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I Joh 2: 15, 16.) And it makes good on its promise to widen the insatiable appetite of the carnal mind of man more and more.

On the other hand, when the scriptures speak of the believer being "simple", it means "single-minded, narrow-minded." (2 Cor 1: 12; 11: 3.) Such a mind is contrary to the world which teaches us constantly, "Have an open-mind and show tolerance." The mystery of godliness revealed in the believer is as narrow as Christ alone. It pleased God that in the single person of his Son should all fullness of his glory and our salvation dwell. The narrow-minded desire created in the believer by God is for God to receive all the glory in salvation. The believer knows that we do not glorify God in a wide variety of ways which we perform, but our hope is in Christ alone who has saved us, is saving us and shall yet save us. This mind for Christ is the "one mind" which Paul prayed the saints would continue to have by God's grace (2 Cor 13: 11; Php 2: 2; 1 Pet 3: ; Col 1: 26, 27.)

Oh that God would be pleased to keep us from the evil by narrowing our minds through his word of truth, closing out all else, that we all may be of one mind, having the mind of Christ (I Cor 2: 12-16.)