A Portrait of Prudence
Proverbs 1:4
33-year-old Larry Walters was an ordinary guy who one day decided he wanted to see his neighborhood from a new perspective. He went down to the local army surplus store in a suburb of Los Angeles CA one morning and bought 45 used weather balloons. That afternoon he strapped himself into a lawn chair, and persuaded several of his friends to tie the helium-filled balloons to the lawn chair. He took along a six-pack of beer, a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, and a BB gun, figuring he could shoot the balloons one at a time when he was ready to land.
Mr. Walters assumed the weather balloons would lift him about 100 feet in the air, and give him a bird’s eye view. He was caught off guard when the chair soared more than 11,000 feet into the sky--smack into the middle of the air traffic pattern at Los Angeles International Airport. Too frightened to shoot any of the balloons, he stayed airborne for more than two hours, forcing the airport to shut down its runways for much of the afternoon, causing long delays in flights from across the country. They had to send a military helicopter to rescue Larry, who was, by that time, ready to come back to earth. Soon after he was safely grounded and arrested by the police, reporters asked him three questions:
"Were you scared, Mr. Walters?"
"Yep."
"Would you do it again, Mr. Walters?"
"Nope."
"Why did you do it, Mr. Walters?"
"Because," Larry Walters replied, "you can’t just sit there."
You probably think that Larry Walters was not the sharpest guy in his neighborhood. But you also have to admit that it took some ingenuity just to think up this scheme. It took some thinking, along with a little too much time on his hands, to plan his journey to the sky. The problem was, he didn’t think enough. He did not consider all of the consequences of his actions. Larry Walters failed to exercise a virtue known in the book of Proverbs as prudence.
Prudence may not be a word you use too often. You might instead talk about “common sense; thinking things through.” One dictionary defines “prudence” as “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason; shrewdness in the management of affairs; good judgment in the use of resources.” Prudence is one of the main aspects of wisdom and Jesus even commanded His disciples to be prudent when He said:
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
The Bible has a lot to say, especially in the book of Proverbs, about our need to be prudent. Prov. 1:4 tells us that one of the things wisdom does for us is to make us prudent. Tonight I want us to look at 6 areas where you and I need to exercise prudence.
1. Prudent people know that some things are best covered up. (Prov. 12:16)
Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
The idea behind this proverb is that prudent people are able to keep from reacting hastily or harshly to insults or mistreatment. To cover shame= to ignore an insult or slight. Prudent people do not let other people’s criticism get them steamed up. They take it in stride, and overlook the harshness of others.
Most of us are too sensitive, too touchy, and too easily offended. We’re like dry sticks, waiting for a spark of criticism to ignite the blaze of our anger. When you exercise prudence, you remember that it’s often better to laugh off a criticism and complaint, to have a “duck’s back” attitude about the rudeness of other people. Many of the folks who say critical things don’t really mean them the way they sound; others might say offensive things just to get a rise out of you. Prudent people don’t take themselves too seriously. Instead of loosing their cool, they learn to ignore snide remarks and subtle jabs.
The alternative is to act the fool, and blow up. Some of the most unwise things you will ever do or say will be done or said in anger in reaction to an insult.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
Don’t be foolish, but be prudent. Make up your mind you are not going to react to criticism or insults with anger, but with self-control. Prudence will save you many an apology and a lot of embarrassment.
Robert A. Cook, former president of King’s College in New York, told a true story from the early years of his ministry. He had been receiving some rather pointed criticism, and he sought the counsel of a friend, pastor Harry A. Ironside. Pouring out his heart, Dr. Cook asked what he should do about the accusations being made against him. Ironside responded, “Bob, if the criticism about you is true, mend your ways! If it isn’t, forget about it!”- Our Daily Bread, July 16, 1997
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.”
But so often, you and I make spot decisions, without thinking through the implications. We make an impulse purchase, and then when the bill comes in try to figure out how we are going to pay for it.
You make a commitment, without considering how much time it will take out of your schedule. Old age creeps up on us before we have made plans for our retirement income.
Prudent people think ahead. They don’t live in fear, but they fasten their seatbelt, establish emergency funds, monitor their investments, do maintenance on their homes and cars, and guard against “the evil day. “They remember that our times and circumstances are in God’s hands, and they trust Him to provide, but they also remember that even the animals know the importance of prudence.
Proverbs 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The future belongs to those who prepare for it.
Prudent people prepare for the future.
4. Prudent people have a healthy skepticism. (Prov. 14:15)
Prudent people don’t believe everything they hear. They learn to listen with discernment- separating what is true, from what may not be true. They are not cynical, believing nothing that they hear. But they are not naïve enough to suppose that everything they hear, either in the media, or from the lips of others, is true.
Most of us have learned the hard way that many people are good at conning you. You and I learn through sad experience not to put too much stock in the promises of politicians during the election season. We need to practice the same cautious listening when it comes to what we’re told in many other areas. Don’t automatically assume that what you hear, see, or read in the media is accurate. There are many unscrupulous people who like nothing more than to manipulate you into believing a lie. There are con men and women who advertise money-making schemes that sound too good to be true, usually because they are.
You and I need to practice discernment when we listen to anyone- from the preacher to the teacher. Some schoolteachers and university professors may try to attack the truths of the Bible, or even the moral truths of what is right and wrong. A good teacher does not mind legitimate questions or discussion, but watch out for a preacher or teacher who demands blind acceptance. Don’t swallow everything you hear, without asking yourself how it lines up with God’s Word. Prudent people do not question everything they are told, but they do keep a healthy dose of skepticism to guard against a lie dressed up as the truth.
5. Prudent people handle correction well (Prov. 15:5).
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
When was the last time you felt defensive and offended? More than likely, it was when someone tried to correct you. Perhaps your husband or wife made a suggestion about your behavior, appearance, or habits.
Perhaps a co-worker or supervisor offered some unsolicited advice about a better way to do your job. The natural human tendency is to bow up and ask who the dickens do you think you are, correcting me?
There are times when you and I are the brunt of unfair criticism. But there are also more times than we would like to admit that we need some helpful advice. Wise people listen to criticism, discarding what is invalid and heeding the rest.
Prudent people are not too proud to accept criticism and use it to make themselves better people.
6. Prudent people study (Prov. 18:15)
Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Prudent people never stop learning. They do not vegetate in front of a TV every night; they turn off the television, and open the bookcase. They take classes and courses. They become personal students of the Scriptures. They never stop growing, because they never stop learning. I have heard people say I am just not a reader. I don’t get into reading books, or studying. Let me tell you- that could be one of the most crippling handicaps you can have. If you do not study the Bible, you will be a weak Christian; if you never spend time working out your mind, you might find one day that you’ve lost it! God gave you and I a mind to use, and that means we need to take time to read and study. You don’t have to go back to college, or become a “bookaholic” like me. But if you want to grow in wisdom, you need to spend some time reading the Bible and other useful books. You are never too smart or too old to learn a little more!
Let’s conclude tonight by exercising a little prudence. Think back with me through this list of what it means to be prudent:
1. Prudent people know that some things are best covered up. (Prov. 12:16)
2. Prudent people give cautious answers (Prov. 12:23).
3. Prudent people think ahead (Prov. 22:3).
4. Prudent people have a healthy skepticism. (Prov. 14:15)
5. Prudent people handle correction well (Prov. 15:5).
6. Prudent people study (Prov. 18:15)
One day a gentleman known as Uncle Zeke was walking along the street and he happened to shuffle into the blacksmith shop, sawdust all over the floor. What he didn’t know was, just before he got there, the blacksmith had been working with an uncooperative horseshoe and beat on it till it was black. It was still hot, but it wouldn’t cooperate, so he tossed it over in the sawdust. Zeke walked in, looked down and saw that black horseshoe. He picked it up, not knowing it was still hot. Naturally he dropped it very fast. The old blacksmith looked over his glasses and said, “Kinda hot, ain’t it, Zeke?” You know what Zeke said? “Nope, just doesn’t take me long to look at a horseshoe.”—Jess Moody, A Drink at Joel’s Place
Being prudent does not take a lot of time, but it does take some humility and effort. Do you need to become a more prudent person? Why not take one or two of these areas to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to help you develop the habit of prudence in your life. After all, like Larry Walters says, you can’t just sit there!
