A Portrait Of Prudence

That is being prudent. Prudent people know some things should be covered up. Another thing:

2. Prudent people give cautious answers (Prov. 12:23).

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

The meaning here is that a prudent person does not tell everything they know. They don’t deceive people by only telling them only part of the truth- which would be a whole lie. But a prudent person knows when to be quiet. He or she knows when it is wiser not to blurt out everything they know.

The Lord Jesus often withheld information from those He spoke to, giving only partial or concealed answers. He wasn’t being dishonest, but prudent.

One example was in John 7:1-10, when his unbelieving brothers challenged Jesus to go to Judea, where there was a plot to kill Him, and publicly and show Himself. He told them it was not His time to go yet, but later on He went to the feast secretly. Jesus prudently hid His presence until He was ready to reveal Himself.

Prudent people watch what they say. They don’t have to tell everything they know. They don’t give out more information than they need to. They do not deceive, but neither do they reveal what ought to stay hidden. We don’t have to say everything we know. Very often the wisest people give the shortest and quietest answers.

A man once suffered from a stubborn case of hoarseness. He had read many newspaper reports about the dangers of smoking and cancer, and how hoarseness was usually one of the first symptoms. He decided to consult a throat specialist, who gave him a thorough examination. He searched his face for a clue during the 30-minute examination but it was expressionless. The doctor told him to come back the next day. He went home full of fears, and didn’t sleep at all that night. The next day there was another long examination and again an ominous silence. “Tell me,” the patient exclaimed. “I can stand the truth. I’ve lived a full, rich life. What’s wrong with me?” The physician looked him straight in the eye and said, “The problem is: You talk too much.”-Bits and Pieces

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

Prudent people do not talk too much.

3. Prudent people think ahead (Prov. 22:3).

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

It is easy sometimes to confuse faith with foolishness. Many a believer has misunderstood Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, but nowhere does He command us not to plan for tomorrow. In fact, being a good steward of the time God gives us implies that we must prepare the best we can for life’s eventualities. Prudent people think ahead, and do what they can to prepare for the future. One of the earmarks of prudence is to “look before we leap.”