Discretion

Proverbs 3.21, 24 “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion...When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shall lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

What is “them” referring to? “sound wisdom and discretion”

Notice that “wisdom” is emphasized with the word “sound.” That means one can have wisdom to know the right thing to do and still not use it.

What does the word “discretion” mean to you?

(W) that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution;

For example: “A good man--will guide his affairs with discretion.” (Psa 112.5)

“My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion.” (Pro 3.21)
If you've used “sound wisdom and discretion” about a situation, how will you sleep? “sweet” - in other words, no tossing and turning because you're not sure if you did the right thing.

Sticky Situation: "The Scary Storm Fest" - Whaddya do?

Fiona's friends are into watching scary storms big time. The more heavy thunderstorms in a day with lighting and high winds, the better. Storms are not exactly Fiona's preference. Every time she watches one, she is a horror the next day because after the storm is over, she was too scared to sleep. Usually when her friends get together for after checking incoming weather, Fiona takes a pass. But it has been several months since their last storm gathering, so when they ask Fiona to join them, she agrees. She's growing out of that phase, she believes, and can handle a few storms now.

The girls plan to make it an all-night affair, given the weather reports. Fiona thinks it sounds interesting and a little exciting, but when she checks it out with her parents, they are skeptical. “Are you sure you want to do this?” they ask, advising her that it may be wiser to avoid watching the storms roll in. But Fiona assures them that she will be all right and will get enough sleep so she'll be fresh for her grandmother's birthday party the next day. Five minutes into the first crack of lighting, however, Fiona realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She is scared silly and doesn't know what to do. She doesn't want to wimp out in front of her friends, but she is frightened! What do you think Fiona should do?

Read Proverbs 3:21-24 again and 4:3, 4 to see what Fiona should do

A. Watch the storms with the girls and show up like at zombie at her grams birthday party?

B. Hide under the bed and tell her friends she's looking for dust bunnies?

C. Pretend that she has to take a bath and hide out in the bathroom for a couple of hours?

D. Tell her friends that she is going to skip tonights entertainment?

E. Call her dad to come and get her – before the storms do?

1. How could Fiona have avoided this entire situation?
2. What types of activities make you afraid?
3. In what ways do you show good planning and insight? In what ways don't you?

The Bible teaches that in order to be wise, a person needs both discernment and sound judgment. Discernment is the ability God gives to people to think and make correct choices. But God only gives sound judment to those who follow Him. Sound judgment includes discernment, but it also includes knowledge that comes from knowing and applying God's Word. Do you have the necessary sound judment to make good decisions? If not, ask God and He will show you how to get it.