In my Bible reading this morning I read Proverbs chapter 14. I made a few interesting observations. As is typically the case when reading the Bible, I gleaned new things this morning that I had not gleaned in the past.
First, I noted verses 3 and 23 because I just recently started noting verses that deal with the mouth, lips, tongue, etc., especially with respect to how they relate to wisdom. The general rule, as I’ve noted previously, is that a wise man tends to hold his peace whereas the foolish man tends to utter many words (even about things of which he is generally ignorant).

  • Pro.14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
  • Pro.14:23 In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Then I took note of these verses

  • Pro.14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
  • Pro.14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The Bible describes those who generally lack wisdom and understanding as simple. This verse points out a general characteristic of the simple: they believe whatever they hear. This seems to be particularly true with respect to religious teaching. Many people will believe whatever comes from the mouth of a so-called godly man whether or not it is backed up by scripture. This is not good. However godly a man might be, however ordained of God a minister might be, he is still a man and subject to (if not altogether prone to) error. This is why it is important for ministers to study diligently to show themselves approved unto God so they need not be ashamed because they rightly divide the word of truth (2Ti.2:15). It is likewise important for those under the sound of the minister’s voice to search the scriptures daily, whether those things be so (Acts 17:11). Despite what some Catholic popes might claim, God’s ministers are not infallible or incapable of teaching any error. It is not a wise man who believes every word he hears. We are responsible to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1Th.5:21)

I suppose the reason many people do not do according to 2Ti.2:15 and Acts 17:11 et. al. is that it requires work. God’s book is voluminous and divided: that is, not all of the instruction on a given topic is given in one place, but rather scattered throughout the sixty-six books of the Bible. It requires much work to rightly divide the word of truth, to properly compare spiritual things with spiritual (1Co.2:13). Proving all things so that we may hold fast that which is good cannot be done without effort. That command is not limited to gospel ministers: it was written by Paul to the church of the Thessalonians and thus applies to “all the holy brethren” (1Th.5:27). But the simple don’t like to work that hard. They’d much rather just believe whatever they hear, trusting that the minister has done his work properly so that he’s teaching the truth. And in some (if not many) cases, they aren’t even concerned if it is the truth so long as it suits their fancy. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti.2:4-5) God may even “send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2Th.2:11-12)