The naïve are gullible and show no discernment. They accept anything and lack the ability to evaluate ideas and suggestions. The naïve don’t consider the moral consequences of their actions. In Proverbs 6-7, the naive will stumble in their finances, work, character and love life if they live without discernment. The Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared” applies here to prevent financial loss, poverty, calamity, adultery, flattery influence, seduction and death.
Finances
Do not be legally liable for someone else’s debt or contract. Deliver and humble yourself so your neighbor will pay debt (Prov. 6:1-5). Do not co-sign or be liable for someone’s debt to prevent financial loss.
Work
Observe the ant and do not be idle. You should plan ahead by preparing food in the summer and gathering provision in the harvest. Otherwise, poverty will come in like a vagabond and need like an armed man (Prov. 6:6-11). Plan ahead, work hard and don’t be idle to prevent poverty.
Good Character
A wicked person walks with a false mouth and perverse heart devising evil and spreading strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly and be broken without healing. The Lord hates haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, false witness who utters lies and one who spreads strife among brothers (Prov. 6:12-19). Avoid pride, lies, evil and strife to prevent calamity.
Love Life
Keep your father’s commands and don’t forsake your mother’ teachings. Bind them continually on your heart so they guide, watch and talk to you. Teaching is light and reproofs for discipline are the way of life to keep you from an adulteress woman. Don’t desire her beauty in your heart to prevent burned clothes and scorched feet. One who commits adultery lacks sense, destroys himself and experiences wounds, disgrace and reproach in addition to jealousy and vengeance from the other man (Prov. 6:20-35). Bind God’s teaching on your heart to prevent adultery.
Treasure God’s word and commands and write them on your heart so you will live. Let wisdom and understanding be your intimate friend to keep you away from the flattery of an adulteress (Prov. 7:1-5). Treasure God’s word to prevent flattery influence.
A rebellious and cunning harlot met a young man lacking sense. She spread her couch with the colored linens of Egypt and sprinkled her bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Her husband was gone on a long journey. She seduced the young man with many persuasions as a bird hastens to the snare (Prov. 7:6-23). Watch over your heart to prevent seduction.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways or stray into her paths. Her house is the way to Sheol descending to the chambers of death (Prov. 7:24-27). Do not stray into her paths to prevent death.
Be prepared in the following areas:
1. Don’t be responsible for someone’s debt
2. Work hard and save for a rainy day
3. Develop the character of humility, truth and unity
4. Stay away from the enticing and adulterous woman
