Prudence

Ok Smaranda, you asked for it!!!
My good friend Smaranda was praying for all of the girls at home fellowship last night. In her prayer she prayed for us all to be more prudent, “because she likes the word.” She’s a crack up!!! Really she’s the first computer programmer that I know that is absolutely wonderful with people and truly I believe the Lord is making her a wise counselor…alright, back to the topic at hand…being prudent.
Being prudent seems to be wisdom mixed with caution and discipline or self control. I think it is such a wonderful thing to have. The best example I see of prudence in my life is, of course, Smaranda! But in the Bible, one of the best examples we can look at is Mary and her sitting at Jesus feet. Martha was running around worrying and preparing everything. She was working so hard, but Mary sat there and trusted the Lord in peace.

So we can see that in certain situations it’s good to sit there and do nothing, it’s good to see the beginning, middle and end of a matter, and it’s good to be cautious. It's all good!

There are other times when the Lord tells us to step and walk in faith, during those times you can continue in prudence with wisdom. I would recommend praying and ask the Lord to show you more about this. I believe that there must be some sort of balance between faith (stepping out to do something you’re afraid of for the Lord) and prudence (wisely acting with common sense). Sometimes the Lord asks us to do things that don’t make sense and then reveals the reasoning later….If the Lord’s asking you to do something, then you need to do it! And again, He knows our hearts. If your heart is right then He’ll show you that it is and if it’s not He’ll show you that too. Just trust in Him that He’ll be faithful to see you through!

American Heritage Dictionary from Dictionary.com definition of prudent:
Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgme nt or common sense.
Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident (visionary, farseeing, prophetic, sagacious, wise).
Careful about one's conduct; circumspect (cautious, prudent, careful, guarded, wary, judicious, vigilant).

Scriptures regarding being prudent:
Pro 1:3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
Pro 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Pro 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Pro 13:16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
Pro 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
Pro 14:15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
Pro 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Pro 19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Pro 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Pro 27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Jer 49:7 Concerning Edom: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?
Amo 5:13 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.

Other scriptures for further study:
Jhn 11:20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

1Jo 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Luk 18:14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Ecc 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Pro 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

All scripture references were retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org on July 24, 2008