Discretion Requires Valor

(Proverbs 5:2 KJV) That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

I commented on the first part of this verse here.

We are to guard our “discretion” (4209). This is another one of those words which has a different feel depending on the context. It means to plan in the positive sense and to scheme in the negative sense. In the Bible it is used both ways. Here it is in the context of wisdom and understanding (see verse 1). So we are to be very thoughtful as we observe and respond to the world around us. We are to apply God’s standards to what we see going on in our sphere of influence and beyond.

Everywhere I look I see plain vanilla. We live in a culture that is trying to stamp out excellence and enforce mediocrity. I am only in one school district, but I think it is representative. We talk about rigor and high standards when we are in public meetings then quietly simplify the vocabulary in our text books. One of the topics being advocated by our educational leaders is to make it possible for a student to pass with a 20% average. I kid you not.

Our culture hates real morality and is happy to have wickedness in charge. Part of the attack is to redefine words like morality. Morality now involves how much gas your car uses instead of being faithful to your wife. We should know better. It is required for us to discriminate when discernment tells us there are issues at stake. We should do so vocally, not just in our hearts.

We are to “keep" (reserve NASB) (5341) what we know. This is another word that means to watch or guard. Notice that our lips are doing this not our journals. We are to speak out. It will cost us. It always has cost, but that is what we are called to do and be.