Void of instruction on how to be normal

Proverbs 7:7 says, [7] And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.

"They’ve literally been stripped of any ability to understand all the important issues that make up the foundation of a normal life," explains Preacher Richard Jordan. "God, marriage, honesty, integrity, respect for your father and mother and family--those four foundations that God laid (volition being personal responsibility and choices).

"Ephesians 6 says, [1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

[2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

[3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

"The simple have no understanding of that. They’re void of knowing, ‘Why do I obey my mom and dad?’ Because it’s right! It’s what the normal human being does. Why? Because they’re put there in your life by God to guide and protect you.

"God put mom and dad in place to train you; to impart some truth into you that will give you the capacity to live successfully as a person.

"For the simple, all that generational memory is gone and that inner strength necessary that needs to be passed on to each new generation, hasn’t been put in them.

"Go back to Psalm 78 and see what Asaph, one of the prophets in Israel, says: [1] Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

[2] I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
[3] Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
[4] We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
[5] For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
[6] That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
[7] That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

"Notice where he gets this information--his father. There’s some generational memory that’s been passed down to them. Parents are put in your life to do that and you know what the simple do? They’re void of any understanding of the purpose; any understanding of the history, the working of what’s there.

"Proverbs 14 says, [15] The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

[16] A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
[17] He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

[18] The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

"They 'believeth every word'; that’s their problem. They don’t test anything! They don’t evaluate anything; they’ve got no framework to do that.

" 'But the prudent man looketh well to his going.' He’s somebody who has some wisdom to examine life with. Proverbs 22:3 says, [3] A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

"The simple guy says, ‘I just want to have what I want!’ and doesn’t consider the danger. He just wants his own interests, and when you’re simple and you believe anything that comes down the pike, and you don’t investigate anything, and you don’t have any frame of reference, you become careless because of your ignorance.

"Somebody comes along and tries to show you proof otherwise but you become so set in your ignorance; you’re your own interest. That’s what sin does: ‘I want to have my gratification, my interests and I don’t have the 'check' of a conscience fortified by God’s Word.'

"Proverbs 9:8 says, [8] Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 13:1 says, [1] A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

"That’s the next guy; the scorner. The simple, ignorant become the ones who despise instruction because now they've got their way and can’t listen to any counsel. He will not hear rebuke or counsel from his father--the very person God put in his life to protect him from evil and to teach him about the evil of this world."