Prudence – Proverbs 8:12

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

What friend could serve our Christian souls more profitably than prudence?  What elder could advise us more excellently, and what teacher could instruct us more advantageously?  This counselor sent from heaven imbues us with sensibility, instructs us in cautiousness, and leads us into fellowship with its sisters, wisdom and knowledge.

Therefore, pursue it and desire it.  Exercise it when temptation promises fulfillment apart from the Lord.  Choose it when naivety and impetuousness offer shortcuts to success.  Follow it when carelessness and indiscretion suggest the straight and narrow way leads nowhere while they promise to escort you to the stars.  Make it your constant companion and faithful mentor, and prudence will take up its position with you, becoming a hedge around you, protecting you, and securing your territory.  It will station its guard over your lips, keeping you from speaking unwisely in the hearing of the wicked and, thereby, exposing yourself to evil.[1]  As you invite it to discipline you and govern your decisions, it will save you from the painful consequences of reckless and foolish pursuits.  As you walk in it, it will lead you in sound judgment, so your house will be in order, your heart will be at rest in the Lord, and you will not live in dread of bad news.[2]

When you accept its instruction, prudence will breed sensibleness into you.  It will teach you to consider your steps with care, and it will turn you away from ill-advised actions while drawing you into the holy place where the Lord lives.[3]  It will make you a faithful steward over your property, talents, gifts, and knowledge, so the Lord, upon observing your faithfulness to use that which He has given to you, will be well pleased, entrusting you to manage greater kingdom treasures than you had hoped for or imagined.[4]

Listen as the Holy Spirit instructs in prudence and leads you onto the paths of loving-kindness and truth.[5]  Strive after it with a holy passion, for it is worth possessing.  Desire it with all your heart, and the Lord will place a crown of virtue on your head as He grants you this righteous request.[6]

[1] Psalm 39:1

[2] Psalm 112:1, 7

[3] Proverbs 14:15-16

[4] Matthew 13:12

[5] Psalm 25:9-10

[6] Proverbs 14:18