Posted on 03/09/2019 6:20:30 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars” (Proverbs 9:1 KJV).
“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength” (Proverbs 8:12-14 KJV).
Today, we will consider knowledge and discretion.
Webster’s 1828 says the following about the words:
KNOWL'EDGE, n. nol'lej.
1. A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.
We can have no knowledge of that which does not exist. God has a perfect knowledge of all his works. Human knowledge is very limited, and is mostly gained by observation and experience.
2. Learning; illumination of mind.
Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.
DISCRETION, n. [L, a separating. See Discreet.]
1. Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.
A good man--will guide his affairs with discretion. Psa 112.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion. Prov 3.
2. Liberty or power of acting without other control than ones own judgment; as, the management of affairs was left to the discretion of the prince; he is left to his own discretion. Hence,
To surrender at discretion, is to surrender without stipulation or terms, and commit one’s self entirely to the power of the conqueror.
Throughout the book of Proverbs it shows that the godly man is a man who takes an interest in all those things going on about him, he takes the trouble to know his way about, he plans his course of actions realistically. Put simply it is someone who looks ahead and then plans his action. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3 KJV).
What this verse is telling us is that there is a great deal of difference between faith and blind optimism. In fact, those with blind optimism are seen as fools. God does not want us to put ourselves in dangerous situations and then expect Him to rescue us. An example of this might be driving our cars at high speeds well over the speed limit. That is exactly what this proverb is about. Part of wisdom involves knowing how to avoid danger. “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Proverbs 14:15-16 KJV).
Father, our very steps are ordered by You. Each step of our journey through this life are planned out for our good, yet, You give us a free will to walk according to our own counsels and avoid your perfect way. Teach us through whatever means you find necessary to recognize the right way and to know when our human intellect will cause us to stumble. Amen.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
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