“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).
Just as things are often not as they appear (Prov. 14:13), not everything said to you is accurate and trustworthy. The naïve (a simpleton) believes everything he is told.
Being able to discern between trustworthy and the untrustworthy people requires maturity and prudence. It also necessitates embracing the hard truths that: 1) People can and do lie; and 2) Some people are very good liars.
One highly effective litmus test for prudently discerning the truth is to observe carefully how a person acts. A liar will say one thing but do something different. When you consider well his steps, you discover that his lips and life do not correspond.
When this is true, don’t be naïve.
