Proverbs Describes Three Types of Children of Concern

Proverbs 1:20-22 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets: 21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, 22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Simple ones are gullible, scorners are the smart alecks, and fools are the rebels. In a nutshell, here is America’s children and teenage problem. This is not a representation of all youth, but is unfortunately a significant reality.

There is a definite progression here; it is the evolution of a fool. No person begins as a fool. Fools are self-made, too often with a lot of help from the parents. Every child begins as what the Bible calls, simple. They are new to this world. Then, if a child is not loved and thoughtfully disciplined, he becomes a scorner, obnoxious. If the progression is not dealt with, he becomes a fool. Once he becomes a fool, there is hardly any help for him, as openness to correction and growth is lost. God shows us in His Word how to raise a wise child, and how to try to prevent him or her from becoming an obnoxious scorner and/or a fool.

The Simple

Are gullible. Proverbs 1:22 The word simple comes from a root word meaning open. It is a naïve person. They love being happy and carefree, and do not want to think about anything serious.
Lack understanding. Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that wants understanding, Proverbs 9:4 They may be intelligent, but they do not have any understanding, spiritual
wisdom and insight from God’s Word.
Are led astray easily. Proverbs 14:15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his or her going.
Live(s) in Danger. A prudent man forsees the evil and hides himself: but the simple do not, and suffer. A wise man can look down the road, see danger, and can get out of the way, but not the simple; they are punished.

From Simple To Scorner

If not dealt with, the simple will become a scorner.

Scorners Delight in Their Scorning

How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22

A scorner is a smart aleck. 2 Peter 3:3
Scorners reject instruction. They whine, complain, talk back, and only want their way. Others often think they are obnoxious. A wise son hears his father’s instruction:
but a scorner hears not rebuke. Proverbs 13:1 Once a child becomes a scorner, his ability to learn truth is difficult, because his attitude is against instruction.
Scorners hate good and the godly. A scorner loves not the one that corrects him: neither will he go unto the wise. Proverbs 15:12 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.
Proverbs 9:7–8 The scorner just simply hates those who speak to or correct him. He feels that the good and the godly are his enemies, and only wants his/her way.
A scorner’s future is destruction.
Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:13

From Simple to Scorner to Rebellious

The rebel is what the Bible calls the “fool.” The first two are known by what they love, but the fool is known by what he hates.

The rebel rejects wisdom. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 A fool hates wisdom and instruction.
The rebel makes fun of Godliness. Fools make fun of sin. Proverbs 14:9.
The rebel is happy in sin. Folly is joy to him and that is destitute of wisdom: Proverbs 15:21 The moral sense of the fool is so destroyed and twisted that they cannot tell the difference between good and bad. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. (Isaiah 5:20)

Take The Steps That Might Prevent The Simple from Becoming the Rebel

Start with a child when he is naïve, young, and open, and give him or her to the Lord. Be wise how you teach them while they are young. Use every chance to teach them. Teach by a good example and also by learning from the mistakes of others. Monitor the company they keep. Help children avoid scorners and fools, smart alecks and rebels. He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20.

How To Handle the Scorner

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Proverbs 9:7–8
You let them know where you stand on the issue, love them, and don’t preach to them; they will not receive it. Allow the scorner to see the results of their sin. Proverbs 19:25
Don’t allow the scorner to corrupt others. Proverbs 22:10

The Future of the Rebel, the Fool

The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Psalms 53:1 Some here today are brokenhearted parents. You say, I started too late. If that is true, just pray, and pray, and pray some more. God is good, and can still give you wisdom! Some are saying I have lived right in front of them and taught the true and they still ended up a fool, at least so far. If you’re a hurting parent, God understands, because God lost many of His children. Keep living and loving right. God warned them that their future depended upon their choices; and yet, they did wrong. God gave them a choice. A bad influence came on the outside; and, by their own choice and free will, they rebelled against a loving Father. Every person has a choice to make that determines his future. Have a plan to influence the children in your life to make a choice for Good, for God. Parts of this outline came from an old sermon I had from Adrian Rogers.