“Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:11).

Discretion is a plan for righteous living, a blueprint designed by God. Discretion is always closely linked with wisdom. “The proverbs of Solomon. . .; To know wisdom and instruction; . . . To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:1,2,4). “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee” (Proverbs 2:10,11). “My son, . . . keep sound wisdom and discretion” (Proverbs 3:21).

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. . . . She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. . . . She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her. . . . The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth” (Proverbs 3:13,15,18,19, etc.). Proverbs’ description of wisdom clearly indicates that it is the wisdom of God that was personified when the “word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). It is, therefore, when we have come to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and have been given the gift of His Holy Spirit that wisdom and discretion characterize our life.

Discretion preserves us or hedges us about, but this plan for safety is not one we can engineer; it is in the hands of God. “He that keepeth [same word as preserve] thee will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3). “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil” (Psalm 121:7). By faith, and in obedience to His word, we believe that His plan for us is one that assures we “may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous” (Proverbs 2:20). CJH