am I naive?...I guess by choice, I am

Am I naïve?.....I guess by choice, I am

Here is a definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary:
Definition of NAIVE
1: marked by unaffected simplicity : ARTLESS, INGENUOUS
2a : deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment; especially : CREDULOUS

Examples of NAIVE

1. a naive belief that all people are good
2. a naive view of the world

Silly boy…always so trusting, that is me. Let’s break down these definitions:

1- marked by unaffected simplicity. Guilty as charged, simple as they come. To loosely quote Hootie and the Blowfish on their song “only wanna be with you”, “you look at me, you got nothing left to see”. No need to try to be something I am not. Not a poser, not in need to represent myself beyond what I feel is my true self. Not grand, but not pumped by artificial additives without substance.

2- deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment; especially : CREDULOUS.

Well, here I have worldly wisdom but I never think that said worldly wisdom is being used or will be used against me. Especially credulous to a fault. If you are telling me something, I have no need to doubt that what you are saying is so, why would it not be?!

Both examples of NAÏVE apply to me. I believe that all people are good (until proven otherwise). I accept there are some really bad people out there. I have a naïve view of the world, I believe that all people want to be happy, have peace in their life and enjoy the love unconditionally given.

So, does it bother me to be such?, not really. I choose to wear my pink colored glasses on a daily basis. What bothers me is the realization that some people acting on purpose, actively engage in deceit for their stupid gains. What are they winning but the accelerated loss of their souls?

So, if I know these things and I know I am not changing my ways and I know there are bad people out there on the prowl for trusting souls, why am I in conflict? Since you would ask if I we were having this conversation face to face, here is my answer. I believe in fairness. I detest being the recipient of unfair acts. I hate lies. Did you know that lying is not one of the seven deadly sins? Go figure.

Here is the easy way to remember the deadly ones:
"SALIGIA" based on the first letters in Latin of the seven deadly sins: superbia, avaritia, luxuria, invidia, gula, ira, acedia. Or in plainer English, superbia = pride, avaritia = greed, luxuria = lust, invidia = envy, gula – gluttony, ira = wrath, acedia = sloth. There are though some other bad traits that God himself hates. Six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth. Namely, a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plots, feet that are swift to run into mischief, a deceitful witness that uttereth lies, him that soweth discord among brethren. Lying though is one of the detestable actions. And who does not detest being lied to?

Nobody is justified in deceiving a naïve soul. I recently read a Bible verse that is so clear and bright, I felt compelled to make it as my facebook status line, two days in a row. It certainly works in any belief system. Here it is, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:1-2).

What do you think? Sounds like a worthwhile goal. Let’s change the human in the mirror first.