Day 15 – Prudence

“𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑.” 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑠 19:14

𝐏𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲.

When describing a person as prudent, it means wise or sensible, but this word is more than a short definition – it’s a lifestyle reflecting Jesus Christ. It is making fair and just decisions in difficult situations, which reminds me a little of King Solomon who exhibits prudence throughout his rule as King over Israel.

Digging deeper, biblical prudence is much more than surface-level thinking and can be identified by the characteristics of a person following Jesus. They are faithful, and loyal, and do not procrastinate when it comes to doing what needs to be done for the Kingdom. A person practising biblical prudence processes their thoughts (they are slow to speak) and responds with wisdom. They are aware that their identity is in Christ. If a person is insulted and reacts emotionally, it is not prudent. However, when insulted, they allow it to roll off because it does not align with who they are: confident in Jesus. They use discernment and are not easily deceived, testing everything they hear against the Word of God.

When reading this, are you too wondering if others can see the virtue of prudence in your life?

Prayer: Father, thank you for teaching us the value of prudence. We fall short in so many areas and I ask that You please guide us with Your grace to be more prudent in our walk with You so that others can identify this virtue as part of our Christlike identity. Amen.