The Simplicity That Is In Christ

 Both Old and New Testaments warn us again and again about false teachers and false doctrines. As we’ve observed before, it is so easy to be deceived if we don’t continually stand guard against it.

In one of these many warnings, the apostle Paul wrote, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). What is this simplicity Paul spoke of?

“Simplicity” is Strong’s # G572, haplotēs. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as, “singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty; the virtue of one who is free from pretence and dissimulation; openness of heart manifesting itself by benefactions, liberality.” Elsewhere in the New Testament, this word is translated as “liberality” (generosity) or “sincerity.” For example, “he who gives, with liberality [haplotēs]” (Rom. 12:8). The Septuagint employs this same Greek word to describe integrity, innocence, or uprightness (2 Sam. 15:11; 1 Chron. 29:17).

God’s ways are straight and honest: “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth” (Isa 40:4). Satan’s ways, and the ways of this world, are crooked and deceitful, filled with snares and pitfalls. This is what Paul meant by “the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Simplicity and Integrity

Of himself and his fellow apostles, Paul wrote, “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity [haplotēs] and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you” (2 Cor. 1:12).

The apostles, like the rest of God’s servants in both Old and New Testaments, had no ulterior motives in preaching the gospel. They weren’t trying to trick anyone or take advantage of anyone. They didn’t pursue power for themselves, they didn’t seek to enrich themselves, and they didn’t look for fame and praise from men. Their actions and motives were simple: to preach the gospel and bring many to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Paul contrasted the apostles’ conduct with that of false teachers: “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17). Again, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully” (2 Cor. 4:2).

Indeed, churches and organized religion are profitable businesses. Many men have preached the gospel, or some form of it, solely to enrich themselves, just as Paul and the other apostles warned. Many men have built churches, not from a sincere desire to share the truth of God, but to enhance their own power, wealth, and prestige. Many pastors have been hirelings who viewed their role simply as a job and preached whatever their employers told them to say.

Then there are the false brethren who visit various churches or message them on the Internet, not because they’re truly seeking God or to fellowship with His people, but to beg and look for handouts. They tell everyone how poor they are and drop subtle or not-so-subtle hints that they need money. They’re freeloaders.

These are merely two examples of acting with ulterior motives, of departing from the simplicity that is in Christ. There are several others worth considering.

There are those who like to flatter, give gifts, and do favors for or “serve” others, but not out of a simple and sincere desire to help. Instead, they do it for their own selfish benefit, expecting to receive something in return. Some do it for the praise of men, hoping that others will think well of them. They love to mention every little good deed and act of service they’ve done. Others are manipulators, and there are strings attached to every good deed they do. Once they’ve “helped” someone, they will never cease reminding that person.

Jesus warned us against such behavior. Whenever we help others, our motives should be simple and straightforward: to help them, not ourselves! We shouldn’t seek praise: “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Mat. 6:3-4). Nor should we seek to be repaid: “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:13-14).

All the examples we’ve covered so far, of departing from the simplicity that is in Christ, fall under the umbrella of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is a pretender. An actor. A fraud. In the New Testament, the Greek word is hypokritēs (Strong’s # G5273). Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as,

1. One who answers, an interpreter (Plato, Lucian)

2. An actor, stage-player (Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, Aelian, Herodian)

3. In Biblical Greek, a dissembler, pretender, hypocrite.

You’ll remember, of course, that Yeshua/Jesus frequently rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for being hypocrites, or pretenders. They made a big show of piety so that others would think highly of them, but they were frauds: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness” (Mat. 23:7).

Hypocrisy is the opposite of simplicity, sincerity, and integrity. It is deceit.

But there are still other ways in which one may depart from the simplicity that is in Christ. Whereas God’s way is straight, man’s ways are often complicated and convoluted, particularly when trying to explain away the simple clarity of Scripture.

How often have we resorted to mental gymnastics to justify ourselves and our actions, no matter how clearly they might be condemned by Scripture? How often have we conjured up the most idiotic and convoluted reasoning to avoid doing what God’s Word tells us to do? “God’s Word says THAT? Surely it doesn’t mean that. It must mean something else!” we’ve exclaimed.

We humans will travel ten miles, fording rivers, climbing mountains, and hacking through jungle ravines just to avoid crossing the hundred-foot bridge that God put in front of us, and all because we thought God’s way seemed harder! But there are no ways around what God tells us to do. Eventually, we will have to double back and simply follow the straight and narrow path that He put in front of us.

Now, we can do all these things without realizing it. We can resist God’s instructions by deceiving our own selves. We might trust our own judgment above the plain words of Scripture, yet tell ourselves that we’re following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We might cling to a pet doctrine so strongly that we distort Scripture to fit our beliefs rather than aligning our beliefs with the Word of God. And only later, in hindsight, do we finally realize what we were doing.

These are all things that we must continually stand guard against. We must be diligent to submit to God in everything, seeking His will and not our own; His judgment and not our own; His glory and not our own. Otherwise, our carnal human nature will take over and lead us off the straight path of God, away from the simplicity that is in Christ, and into many snares and pitfalls.

This brings us to another point.

Simplicity vs. Simple-mindedness

God’s ways may be simple and straightforward, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy, nor does it mean we can understand them without much prayer and Bible study. Some things in God’s Word are, in fact, hard to understand. The apostle Peter wrote,

15 And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked. (2 Pet. 3:15-17.)

Notice, Peter did not say that everything Paul wrote was hard to understand, but he did say that some things were. And so it is with the rest of Scripture. Jesus spoke in parables precisely so that some would understand and others wouldn’t (Mat. 13:10-13). Again, God spoke His words “line upon line, here a little, there a little” for the same reason (Isa. 28:10-13).

The fact that something seems simple doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. The truth may indeed seem more complex than a lie, at least until we understand it.

And here we come to the difference between simplicity and simple-mindedness. The simplicity that we’ve discussed so far is best described as integrity, uprightness, and straightforwardness. Simple-mindedness, on the other hand, is foolishness and ignorance.

Accordingly, in the first chapter of Proverbs, we read, “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge” (Prov. 1:22). Or, as the NASB puts it, “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?”

Many times, God’s Word tells us to seek wisdom. The apostle James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jam. 1:5). And in Prov. 2:3-5, we find, “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Again, we read,

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;

14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. (Prov. 3:13-18.)

Thus wisdom is like buried treasure that we must search for and seek out. We must pray for wisdom, but we cannot stop there. We must actively seek it out and search for it in the pages of God’s Word. We must put in the work!

And here’s where many folks start making excuses: “I don’t have enough time for Bible study,” “I can’t concentrate when I study,” “I’m just not that smart,” etc. As for that last one, I’ve got good news: God doesn’t call many “smart” people, so we’re all in good company. As the apostle Paul wrote,

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Cor. 1:26-29.)

In fact, that’s even more reason to study, because prayer, God’s Spirit, and His Word can make anyone wise! “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7).

As for the first two excuses, we’ve all made excuses of various sorts, but they’re just that: excuses. Claiming we can’t study God’s Word because we don’t have time or because it doesn’t interest us enough to concentrate proves only one thing: that our priorities are horribly skewed. It proves that other things are more important to us than God’s instruction, and that’s idolatry!

Folks, this is a life and death matter! You cannot outsource your Bible study to someone else. Not pastors, not churches, not books, and not Bible commentaries. Although godly teachers are helpful, you must also study on your own. YOU must do the work! As the apostle Paul exhorted us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).

As many others have observed, when we pray, we talk to God. When we study His Word, He talks to us. But if we don’t study His Word, then we’re simply talking to Him without listening to His answers. Again, this is a life and death matter. God inspired Solomon to write, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Prov. 28:9). How can we expect God to help us or listen to us if we won’t listen to Him? Or how can we expect God to make time for us if we won’t make time for Him?

Take time to pray and study, no matter what. If you seek God first, above all else, He will take care of your other needs: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mat. 6:33).

Pray for wisdom, search it out in the pages of God’s Word as if you’re searching for buried treasure, and He will give it to you. “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding” (Prov. 3:13).

Conclusion

As God opens our eyes to see and our minds to understand, we see that His ways truly are simple and straightforward. Nevertheless, it is only through diligent study of His Word that we can see. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105). It is only through diligent study that we gain the wisdom to understand. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7).

God’s Word warns us to beware of false teachers and false brethren with ulterior motives, who would turn us from the straight and narrow path, and it gives us the wisdom to spot them. Being well-grounded in the Word of God makes it harder for us to be deceived.

God’s Word teaches us to put away hypocrisy and to walk uprightly, with integrity. It teaches us to serve our great Creator, not merely in pretense or outward appearance, but in sincerity, with our whole heart. This is the simplicity that is in Christ!