The Waywardness Of The Naďve And The Complacency Of Fools

by Chris Simmons

In Matthew 7:13, Jesus taught that the path to “destruction” is characterized by a wide gate and a broad way, indicating that there are a multitude of divergent paths from what God has set forth and that anything other than God’s way is doomed. In Proverbs 1:32, Solomon identifies two particular paths of spiritual destruction – each unique but consistent in terms of results. There we read, “For the waywardness of the naďve shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.”

One path to spiritual ruin is the “waywardness of the naďve.” Naivety refers to one who is gullible or unsuspecting (Proverbs 14:15), and the Hebrew word is defined as simple, foolish or silly. It is to lack discretion (Proverbs 1:4). It is to ignore the signs of danger and foolishly pay the consequences thereof (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12). The context preceding verse 32 establishes that naivety is not outside of our control but rather is the by-product of choosing to reject knowledge and wisdom and lacking godly fear (verses 29-31). The result of being naďve is “waywardness.” Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon defines this word as “a turning away, a turning back, an apostasy, a backsliding.” Apostasy and backsliding are preceded by ignorance and a failure to heed the signs of danger. This is why Paul focused on God’s pattern and sound teaching in the letters he wrote such as in II Timothy 1:13, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” This path to destruction is characterized by an indifference to truth and disrespect for divine authority. We must have a “love of the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:10) and value it above all else (Proverbs 23:23) if we have any hope of being saved. Overcoming ignorance and naivety is up to each one of us and depends on our diligence in studying and understanding truth (II Timothy 2:15).

The other path mentioned by Solomon is the “complacency of fools.” Simply put, complacency destroys men’s souls. This speaks of a consistent desire for our ease, comfort and prosperity more than spiritual fervor and growth. The word for “complacency” is most often translated “prosperity,” “abundance,” or “peaceably” (in the NASB) – referring to the complacency which comes from having an abundance of possessions. Abundance leads to arrogance which in turn leads to “careless ease” in regards to things physical and spiritual (Ezekiel 16:49). History suggests that God’s words fall on deaf ears when the audience is in a state of great prosperity. Jeremiah wrote, “I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice.” Such prosperity creates a false sense of security and a deceptive situation of condemnation. Through Amos the prophet, God pronounced His woes upon “those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria” (Amos 6:1). Such complacency is indeed foolish and is the result of lacking one’s “first love” (Revelation 2:4). It’s the result of failing to maintain our zeal and fervor for worshiping and serving God. We become lukewarm towards those things spiritual and become desensitized to that which is an offense towards God. We no longer blush at those things which are shameful in God’s sight (Jeremiah 6:15) because we’ve been gradually conditioned to either accept it or at least no longer rebuke it. There’s an old story that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. Is that happening to us? Are we drifting away from truth (Hebrews 2:1) and into the current of complacency?

The cure for complacency is a commitment and a resolved decision. Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a choice (Joshua 24:15). Elijah challenged the Israelites to make a decision and stop trying to keep one foot in the world and one foot with God (I Kings 18:21). The cure for naivety is a lifelong focus to seek God and to know His will.