Prudent
Now Playing: How can we show prudence ?
Topic: Wisdom
No one wants to be foolish and stupid in our day-to-day actions and responsibilities. How then can we find the wisdom and prudence we need as a believer? Solomon wrote quite a bit on the subject. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness" (Proverbs 12:15,16,23). "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." (Proverbs 14:15) "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." (Proverbs 16:21) "Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD" (Proverbs 19:14). "A prudent man forseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Proverbs 22:3, 27:12)

We must be careful not to consider ourselves capable of judging rightly in our own natural wisdom alone. As Isaiah said, "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight" (Isaiah 5:21). Jeremiah prophesied, "Is wisdom no more in Teman? Is counsel perished from the prudent? Is their wisdom vanished?" (Jeremiah 49:7) The prophet Hosea concluded his discourse by writing, "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them..." (Hosea 14:9).

When He walked on this earth, the Lord Jesus could say to His Father, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight" (Luke 10:21, Matthew 11:25). May we not rely upon our own "wisdom and prudence", but lean upon Him who has all the answers to the perplexing situations we may face in our lives! "Behold my servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high" (Isaiah 52:13)