The Bible has always laid out the differences between good men and evil men and the curses and blessings associated with each of these men. This selection of Scripture is no different.
"The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going." Proverbs 14:15, Amplified
This is not a blanket statement on belief, necessarily. Rather it is a statement about direction. But before we go further with this idea of directionality, I would like to focus on the simpleton. When this verse is read and we consider the simpleton, it reminds me of a child, believing everything that he or she is told. It is like "stealing their noses" and using your thumb to pretend that you actually have succeeded in stealing their nose. The child gets freaked out and believes it.
When considering directionality, I am drawn to one verse: "...we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." (Ephesians 4:14, NKJV) The simpleton has no grounding in anything, he is like the man who built his house on the sand. But the prudent studies his way intently. He considers the cost and goes his way.
"A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident." Proverbs 14:16, Amplified
The Christian cannot be the man who runs into the burning house in the hopes of finding a victim to save. That fire may be made up of different things like lust or covetousness. It is our duty to our Lord to consider every step that we take. One misstep and we risk exposing ourselves to the evilness of this world. To say to ourselves that we have overcome sin is to be like the fool.
"He who foams up quickly and flies into passion will deal foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated." Proverbs 14:17, Amplified
Passion is part of our nature, it is one of the things that makes us human. But for us to act on those passions is to act foolishly. This "foaming up" is the same as being quick-tempered, which links together with passion perfectly. Passion and logic are rarely friends. People kill in acts of passions, they initiate adulterous relationships because of passion. Passion in the hands of the wrong person can lead to a deadly end, for that passion can lead to wickedness.
"The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Proverbs 14:18, Amplified
In every life, one accomplishes something. For the simple, folly is his reward. The the one who considers his steps is rewarded with knowledge. Not only rewarded, but also crowned. The crown is a symbol of authority and power.
"The evil bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliant] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous." Proverbs 14:19, Amplified
This is a promise. As we all know, in this world today, this is not the case. But when the that Day comes, rest assured that those faithful to the Lord will stand tall as the rest of the world bows. In Milton's "Paradise Lost", Satan states, "It is better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven." This may be true now, in this fallen world. But when that day comes (and it will), those who were and are faithful to the Lord will live forever with Him. If one has chose to devil's side, then eternal separation awaits him.
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