Prudence (Proverbs 22:3)

It is always a good thing to look ahead in life and see what is coming. If we walk around blind, we will always fall into peril.

"A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished (with suffering)." Proverbs 22:3, Amplified

It is our duty to know and understand what is going on around us. In doing so, we begin to protect ourselves from the evils of this world. Sojourning through this world unprotected leaves us on the chopping block for the devil, easy prey.

The Sweetness of Prudence (Proverbs 16:21)

To be prudent is to show an active care or interest in the future. I know this is a subject and a definition that has already been covered in these studies, but the book of Proverbs often broaches subject matter more than once. Repetition is usually indicative of the need to hear. In other words, the more the Lord says it, the more important it must be for us to hear.

"The wise in heart shall be called prudent, understanding and knowing; and winsome speech increases learning [in both speaker and listener]." Proverbs 16:21, Amplified

Wisdom brings about a great respect from other persons. In the book of First Kings in chapter three, Solomon is visited by the Lord. The Lord offers him anything that he might request. Solomon chooses wisdom over everything including riches and fame. In his first wise act, Solomon is confronted with two women who claim that one baby is both of their own. They each claimed that the other had killed the other baby in their sleep. Solomon proposes that he cut the baby in half in order to satisfy both women. It was the compassion of one of the woman that exposed her as the real mother. After that it was said that Solomon's fame grew. Solomon wrote more than just these proverbs that we read in these thirty-one chapters.

What the Amplified Version calls "winsome speech" the New King James calls "sweetness of the lips". This is not necessarily a discrepancy in texts since both have similar meaning. To be winsome means to be attractive or appealing sweetness is mostly always attractive to audiences. When speech is sweet, more people will tend to listen. I do not agree with those who want to stand on corners with megaphones and preach hellfire and brimstone. I do believe there is a time and a place for such teaching, but this is not what draws people to Jesus. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." God was in the position to be wrathful and vengeful, but He chose love. God was in the position to punish, but He chose the sacrifice of His Son. God did not have to love, He wanted to love. Life without Christ does end in death and hellfire and brimstone, yes, but His focus on the earth was love. The world needs to understand why it does not have to go to hell. Sweetness will draw men to Jesus. Sweetness will allow for us to know and understand our God more.

The Possessions of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:12-21)

In this particular chapter we had the call of wisdom. She told us what she could do for us. Now in this section of the chapter wisdom is going to shows us her wares, if you will. After answering the call of wisdom, something happens inside of us all. It is when we possess wisdom that we begin to see as it see and hate as it hates and love as it loves.

"I, Wisdom [from God], have made prudence my dwelling, and I find out knowledge and discretion." Proverbs 8:12, Amplified

To be prudent is to act or show care for the future. Wisdom is a planner always looking toward the future and preparing us. In that preparation comes the search for knowledge and discretion which is always found by wisdom. I guess the next question to ask would be are we prudent in our lifestyles? If not, then we must ask ourselves why. Why am I not living prudently? If wisdom makes its home within prudence, then we too should become familiar with the application of prudent living.

"The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil. Pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate." Proverbs 8:13, Amplified

Living prudently also includes the fear of the Lord. Now this is not the kind of fear found in a horror film. it is a reverent fear, it is a worshipful fear. In looking out for the future, one must realize that there are certain things that one cannot entangle himself with. To live prudently one must expel all evil from his life. Wisdom calls out four different things by name:

• Pride - By pride the devil fell. Now remember that pride is not how highly that one thinks of himself, it is how often. "For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of this world." (I John 2:16, NKJV) Pride has no part in the Father so it too can have no part in us. Prudence will think of others first.
• Arrogance - This is another form of pride, but by definition it means, "having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance and abilities." Arrogance steal the spotlight and allows no one else the opportunities that you may fulfill. In other words, arrogance will never share the glory. It is possible to take too much on to oneself with every good intention, however, we must be careful where we place the glory. Prudence takes the humblest seat in the house.
• The evil way - Now this is obvious, or is it? Wisdom hates any other way in life that is not leading toward the upward calling of Jesus Christ. We should all share that same distaste for life which does not include our Lord. The narrow gate is the prudent path.
• Perverted and twisted speech - This is a particularly ensnaring thing. How do we address one another? What kind of jokes are we telling each other? We must be careful of our speech, because it is one of those things that as we get comfortable it becomes easier and easier to speak a certain way. Prudence nor wisdom will afford us to turn one away from God because of our speech. Prudence has a gentle tongue.

"I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth." Proverbs 8:14-16, Amplified

Counsel and knowledge belong to wisdom, so wisdom should have its place within the political realm. In America today, this seems like a less likely scenario. Our judiciary system does not seem like it acts either in prudence or wisdom. But I must remind, even myself, "Let every soul be subject tot he governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (Romans 13:1, NKJV) This included Caesar Nero in the early Christian era, who would ride naked in his garden to the light of burning Christians.

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently will find me." Proverbs 8:17, Amplified

There is a promise to those who seek for wisdom. If wisdom is sought out, it will be found. Now the qualifier to that statement is that the search must be diligent. There is a certain blessing in being persistent and a satisfaction when what we look for if found. Think of it as young children looking for Easter eggs. All search for the pastel treasures, but one will emerge victorious. That one child will be the victor because he (or she) found the most. Their search was more diligent, their hunger and appetite was stronger. The same can be said of wisdom and the search for it. Will you search like you will be the victor? Will you emerge the winner having more in your basket than the others? The good thing about wisdom, however, is that there is not a shortage out there. There is no inventory of wisdom, all can be diligent and search out wisdom and emerge victorious for themselves and their families and their God.

"Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth, and righteousness [that is, uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God]. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and my increase than choice silver." Proverbs 8:18-19, Amplified

Solomon knew this truth first hand. He was asked by God what he wanted when he became king of Israel. Solomon chose wisdom to rule the people of Israel over riches and fame and everything else. Gold and silver and precious stones cannot comfort the soul the way that wisdom can. Nor can riches solve the problems of life, only postpone the outcome of certain events. But wise and prudent living will make for a joyful life.

"I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness [of moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation], in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches, and that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:20-21, Amplified

Wisdom will never deviate from the righteous path. To follow and pursue wisdom, one must walk the righteous path as well. Prudence and wisdom, hand in hand, will lead us to true riches, and that s our Lord and Savior Jesus.