Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

Nowhere in the bible is the gospel described as simple. It is however according to the parable of the sower to be received with understanding. Over the past few weeks I have laid out points of interest to hopefully make some gospel issues plain. I’ve identified different points of interest with details sufficient enough to make each plainly understood.

Here in this proverb we look at the slothful man and his hedge of thorns. Language definitions change over time rendering an understanding of slothful as being lazy. What if it meant slow? The sloth is very slow and very deliberate. You can see in their movement that every branch is tested a little bit at a time to see if it is safe to bear its weight.

The hedge of thorns is a method of providing protection. They do not want to be vulnerable. In contrast we have what is called simple. Here again language has altered the meaning to identify simple people as being stupid and that is not the case in salvation.

Psalm 116:6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Think of simple as those who do not have a haughty spirit. They are not arrogant.

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

In this case Paul refers to simple as being innocent. Jesus implied as much in one of His more noticeable chastisements.

Matthew 19:13-14 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Two attributes of note in young children that are well loved are trust and innocence.

John 18:36a Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:

Being born into this spiritual kingdom means it is not of this world and the rules of this world do not apply. So why do we try and apply worldly rules to His Kingdom? Perhaps because that is all we know for the moment. What we know makes us comfortable. What is unknown makes us insecure.

The best way to adjust to Kingdom Living is to come to know the King who rules in your heart. We might not even be aware of that at first because He is kind, gentle, and understanding. He is going to love us first. As a newborn is loved, we are loved.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Since security needs to be established the King and the counselor will address the most pressing issues required to build trust in any new born. What that might be is different for each of us. The method is the same.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

We begin to see and hear with spiritual ears and eyes in our reading of the bible. Bible reading is essential in coming to God and understanding His ways.

Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

The false ways are the ways of the world and Satan’s lies.

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Comfort is security and that builds trust.