“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified...." Luke 18:13, 1413And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:13‑14).
Wise and simple are relative terms, referring not so much to mental condition as to the fear of the Lord on the one hand, and indifferent self-sufficiency on the other.
The simple are ready with amazing credulity to believe anything given forth by men as foolish as themselves, while stumbling over the clearest truths of revelation.
No one has such strong faith in the greatest absurdities as the very man who quibbles over the truth of God.
The unbeliever can believe, unhesitatingly, that he is the dsecendant of a long line of lower animals ranging all the way from protoplasm to ape, while he sneers at the Christian who receive by faith the divine record that "God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.”
The prudent man mistrusts himself, and trusts the Word of the living God. Ordering his steps in that Word, he looks well to his going.