“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” – Proverbs 14:15
There is a sucker born every minute. Some people will believe anything and some people can be talked into anything. There are entire segments of our economy counting on this fact. Whole million and billion dollar industries are built on this principle. The Bible says they are simple. They are willing targets or marks for con men and the disingenuous. If someone can talk you into a course of action that you KNOW is wrong due to their passionate sales pitch and you change your mind, you are simple, or seducible.
Some people, after being conned and led astray will hide behind, “I just believe the best about people”. Well, I’m sorry, that’s not faith, because faith considers the facts (Romans 4:19). REAL faith considers the facts and then believes in SPITE of facts. Take Abraham for example, the Bible says that:
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” – Romans 4:18-21
No, being gullible or easily persuaded is a choice to be deceived. We choose NOT to believe the scripture and choose to believe people’s words instead of the fruit of their actions. Behind every bad business deal or pyramid scheme is a choice to be snowed. When we turn a blind eye to people’s actions and elevate their words above the fruit of their life, we are making a choice to be conned.
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:16-20
Wise people carefully consider the outcome of every step they take. They think through problems and “solutions” taking the course of action that is biblical, moral and wise. You can present facts to wise people, but you can’t talk them into anything unless they are themselves convinced. If you try and rush a wise person into a decision, it’s an automatic “NO”. Why? Because to a wise person, no “opportunity” is worth the price of their peace.
LIFE LESSON:
Taking careful thought to our ways and prayerfully considering the steps we take in life is not “playing it safe” or “having no faith”. It’s wisdom in action.
There is a sucker born every minute. Some people will believe anything and some people can be talked into anything. There are entire segments of our economy counting on this fact. Whole million and billion dollar industries are built on this principle. The Bible says they are simple. They are willing targets or marks for con men and the disingenuous. If someone can talk you into a course of action that you KNOW is wrong due to their passionate sales pitch and you change your mind, you are simple, or seducible.
Some people, after being conned and led astray will hide behind, “I just believe the best about people”. Well, I’m sorry, that’s not faith, because faith considers the facts (Romans 4:19). REAL faith considers the facts and then believes in SPITE of facts. Take Abraham for example, the Bible says that:
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” – Romans 4:18-21
No, being gullible or easily persuaded is a choice to be deceived. We choose NOT to believe the scripture and choose to believe people’s words instead of the fruit of their actions. Behind every bad business deal or pyramid scheme is a choice to be snowed. When we turn a blind eye to people’s actions and elevate their words above the fruit of their life, we are making a choice to be conned.
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:16-20
Wise people carefully consider the outcome of every step they take. They think through problems and “solutions” taking the course of action that is biblical, moral and wise. You can present facts to wise people, but you can’t talk them into anything unless they are themselves convinced. If you try and rush a wise person into a decision, it’s an automatic “NO”. Why? Because to a wise person, no “opportunity” is worth the price of their peace.
LIFE LESSON:
Taking careful thought to our ways and prayerfully considering the steps we take in life is not “playing it safe” or “having no faith”. It’s wisdom in action.
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