A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
Summary: Today’s simple passage provides an important clue to applying God’s will in the world.
As we get farther and farther into Solomon’s proverbs, they seem to be taking on a prophetic meaning. I am not sure how Solomon would have applied this proverb in his own time, but in our time there are a lot of possibilities.
When Solomon writes that “a person is praised according to their prudence,” he is presuming that we understand the context of his words. The people who praise someone for their prudence are the wise and righteous. Those who are wicked have no interest in such things. Instead, they would be more inclined to admire a warped mind than despise it.
This brings us to today.
Today, we live in a world where the people the Bible describes as having a “warped mind” are praised, and those who are prudent are despised. How we have gotten to this point is a long story and a rather frightening one. Yet here we are. The question we are presented every day is “Do we believe in our values?”
The world has found a way into nearly everyone’s homes and minds through television, radio, social media, and the internet. We have become so inter-connected as a society that our thoughts are constantly under bombardment by the thoughts of other people. Many of these people despise prudence and admire the warped.
What are we to do?
In my own life, I have found that the only true refuge is leaning on God. I do this by reading his Word every day, enjoying this blog with you, and learning about prayer even as I try to pray.
It is not hard to tell who is godly and who is not these days. The people who defy God are more outspoken every day. They demand that people who believe in God should leave their values at home. They want us to submit to the worldly values they hold when we are in the public square.
This is horribly wrong.
If we take anything from today’s passage, let us take Solomon’s advice. He does not tell us to engage in a war of words with the warped. Instead, he tells us to praise the prudent. By encouraging prudence in others, we are encouraging people to be righteous. We also declare our faithfulness to God. Not by pushing our beliefs in the face of the unbeliever, but by living up to our faith in God in a humble and loving way.
Application: Keep your eyes open for those who exercise prudence and find an excuse to voice praise for their acts.
Food for Thought: How does speaking praise for prudence impact you and the people around you?
Another word for prudence is wisdom. Strong’s also relays that is one potential translation of the Hebrew word. If we want people to live according to God’s wisdom, praising people gives affirmation to godly values.
This works like positive reinforcement in a child. If a child is praised for a behavior they are more likely to repeat that behavior. If we praise the godly value we see in one another, it is likely going to produce more of that same attitude. By doing this we encourage people the same way that teammates encourage one another on the same team. And if we are in Christ, we are on the same team.
I like being on the same team as Christ. Because Jesus always wins.
Amen, Tim. Jesus is the ultimate winner!
Thank you, Rich.
I appreciate you diving into Strong’s on this passage. The equating of prudence and wisdom adds depth to the passage.
How does speaking praise for prudence impact you and the people around you?
I think R really hit the point: recognizing and praising prudence (wisdom) reinforces it in ourselves and other believers. I think it also serves as a light to the unbelievers. From what I have seen of media and social media, it is a constant reinforcement of “non-prudence.” Looking at it closer, to me, it looks like people are searching for wisdom in a vacuum, so they “lean into their own understanding.” Praising prudence at the very least can plant a seed of wisdom.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Chris,
I like the metaphor of being a “light to the unbelievers.” That is a great way to encapsulate the message in today’s passage.
In Philippians 4:8 we are given a list of things to think about: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
When our focus is praising and encouraging others, our minds are focused on these qualities. It takes it minds off of the doom and gloom, the things that make us complain and grumble. When we focus on these latter things, we have a tenancy to be angrier, more bitter, anxious, etc…
A –
Great point! Our attitude and emotions reflect what we focus on.
Well said!
A your Heart and everything God has blessed you with is beautiful. I pray that I will always cherish your advice in our decisions in this life that further our kingdom for God. You are my everything under our Lord,Savior,Christ. Thank you for choosing Jesus then me.
07-07-2022, Proverbs 12:8, How does speaking praise for prudence impact you and the people around you?
Proverbs 13:16, In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:15, The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
OR
Proverbs 27:12, The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 14:8, The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
We live in a world of increasing evil. There are times when it is prudent and to withdraw and times when when it is prudent to move forward. The Holy Spirit is wisdom, given to each as our guide, We must listen carefully.
Jesus tells us, He will send the Holy Spirit, and when the Holy Spirit comes, He will REVEAL TO THE WORLD, THE TRUTH OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND JUDGEMENT TO COME.
John 16:8
AND
Jesus prayed our Father would not take us out of the world but would protect us from the evil one. He asked our Father to Sanctify ( TO PURIFY; PREPARE FOR DIVINE SERVICE ) believers by His word which is truth. We are sent into, remain in this world to reveal the message of Jesus Christ to those who will respond in faith. His prayer is not for only a few, but also for those who will believe in Him through our message, that all would be UNITED, just as Jesus and the Father are, so the world will believe Jesus was truly sent by God.
John 17:15-21
John 16:8, Tells me, the Holy Spirit has, is, or will convict the WORLD of sin, righteousness and judgement.
John 17:15-21, Tells me, God has, is, or will prepare His people for divine service.
To me it is prudent to spend each day cooperating with our Lord and growing as we spend time with Him. He has everything under control. He prepares who goes to who, and is the power telling me when we listen, and what we say. Our place is to allow Him to develop us into the servant He knows we will be Awesome at, He will give us the opportunity to serve as we are ready.
Nicely said, Ron.
I especially appreciate the reminder that “He has everything under control.” He does! 🙂