I've been reviewing some research on some very Spirit-cogent qualities (traits) and ways of operating in life, aligned to the Christ. In becoming more prudent, Proverbs advises:
s
The prudent person…
The prudent person…
Overlooks insults;
Keeps their knowledge to themselves i.e. doesn’t flaunt it;
Acts out of knowledge (which are established facts, not assumption, opinion or innuendo);
Gives thought to their ways (and steps);
Is crowned with knowledge;
Takes refuge in the sight of danger;
Keeps quiet in times of trouble; and
Heeds correction.
s
In my reading of wisdom literature, it seems that there is another word linked with “the prudent,” but it is its opposite.
s
The simple require prudence.
s
The “simple” person...
Believes anything;
Inherits folly; and
Keeps going (in the face of danger) and suffer for it.
s
Proverbs 8:5 directs the simple... “You who are simple, gain prudence.”
s
One other opposite I read of for prudence was rashness. Does this mean that the simple (that are described here) are rash, and act without care? I think so.
s
Possibly a greater thing regarding prudence is the role the mouth plays. Think about it...
s
Possibly a greater thing regarding prudence is the role the mouth plays. Think about it...
s
What do we put inside it? Whatever gets "near" the mouth invariably gets eaten, moulding our body.
s
What comes out of it? Whatever comes out invariably highlights the “seat of intentions”--the heart. The Seat of Intentions (our heart) simply proves our motivation, what drives us, our values etc.
s
If our heart is rotten, then what we have to say will not be clean; if our heart is pure, we'll say things that edify and build-up... (ref. Matthew 12:34-37)
s
Prudence is possibly all in the mouth. It’s the outcome, or business end of things. It reveals what is going on at a heart level.
s
If it matters to us, we must control what enters the mouth, and what leaves the mouth. This takes enormous discipline and years of practise--indeed, a lifetime of trial and error.
No comments:
Post a Comment