The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

4 To give subtilty (prudence) to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

Being simple in this verse means something totally different than most people would imagine. In this verse, the meaning in the Hebrew language of being a “simple” person is to be a person who makes room in their life, and even invites, both mental and moral silliness and foolishness, which leads to silly and foolish behavior. Believe me there is no joy, fulfillment, or productivity in being a simple person. Simple people waste their lives. Do not be a simple person. Choose to be a person who is wise and lives by disciplined choices.

Wisdom is needed for an individual to have the ability to govern their lives properly. One must obtain knowledge regarding wisdom and biblical principles to come to the place where they are equipped to live with prudence aka subtilty and discretion, two quality our society is in desperate need of currently. If you want to stand out among your peers have prudence and discretion.

Let us examine what prudence and discretion are as defined by the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

Prudence =

Main Entry:

pruydence

Pronunciation:

‚prü-d„n(t)s

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prudentia, alteration of providentia — more at PROVIDENCE

Date:

14th century

1 : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

2 : sagacity (aka wisdom) or shrewdness in the management of affairs

3 : skill and good judgment in the use of resources

4 : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

Application of definitions.

1 – One must stop and think before they act. Does what they are going to do line up with their principles, moral code, God’s desires for them, etc.? Have they thought about the pros and cons of the situation? Has the outcome of the situation been considered?

2 – Does what the person wants to do line up with godly wisdom?

3 – Is this the best use of the person’s times, money, talents, gifts, etc.?

4 – What will happen if this choice is made? What will the potential outcome be? What are the risk involved and are the risk worth the reward?

Discretion =

Main Entry:

disycreytion

Pronunciation:

dis-‚kre-sh„n

Function:

noun

Date:

14th century

1 : the quality of being discreet : CIRCUMSPECTION; especially : cautious reserve in speech

2 : ability to make responsible decisions

Application of definitions.

1 – What is the impact of what the individual is about to say or do on both other people and themselves?

2 – Does the person’s behavior line up with responsible behavior?

You obviously want to find favorable answers to all of those questions when making a decision or choice that can affect your life, and almost every choice affects our life to some degree. Making life’s choices with prudence and discretion through the application of wisdom will radically transform a person’s life into success beyond measure – the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.

John 10:10 (KJV-AV)” The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Do not allow the Enemy to steal your life through unwise choices.

Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.