Preaching on Prudence: A Necessary Virtue in Christian Life
The Greek word for "prudence" is phronesis, which is linked to the verb phroneo, meaning "to have understanding, prudence, practical wisdom." In the Christian life, prudence is not an optional extra; it is a necessary quality to navigate this fallen world with grace and integrity. It is the ability to make sound decisions, to avoid pitfalls, and to honor God with wisdom, especially in the midst of conflicts, temptations, and spiritual dangers.
A prudent person is not a fearful one, but a wise one. He or she knows when to act, when to speak, and when to be silent. Today, we will explore what the Bible says about this essential virtue.
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I. Prudence in the Christian Life
The Scriptures consistently point to prudence as a mark of a person who is truly walking with God.
1. Jesus Taught Us to Be Prudent (Matthew 10:16): In sending out His disciples, Jesus gave them a powerful mandate and a crucial warning: "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
• The serpent, in this context, is not a symbol of evil but of caution. It is known to protect its head, its most vulnerable part, at all costs. Jesus calls us to be wise and cautious, to act with wisdom in a hostile world, without exposing ourselves unnecessarily to danger.
• Christian courage is not recklessness; it is a wise and prudent application of faith.
2. Prudence in Our Words (1 Samuel 16:18): The prophet Samuel, seeking a new king for Israel, was told of David, a shepherd boy who would become a great leader. One of the qualities he was praised for was: "He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him." (In some translations, "prudent in speech" or "discreet in his words.")
• Conflicts often arise from impulsive, unthinking, or hurtful words.
• Being prudent in our speech means thinking before we speak, choosing our words carefully, and speaking in a way that builds up rather than tears down, thus avoiding misunderstandings and disputes.
3. Prudence Is Learned and Sought (Proverbs 8:5, 12): Prudence is not something we are necessarily born with; it is a virtue to be pursued.
• Proverbs 8:5: Wisdom calls out to us, "You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it."
• Proverbs 8:12: Wisdom declares, "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." Prudence dwells with understanding. We can and should actively pursue this spiritual virtue through the study of God's Word and prayer.
4. The Prudent Control Their Emotions (Proverbs 12:16): A wise person, filled with prudence, is not a slave to their emotions.
• Proverbs 12:16: "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult."
• The prudent are not carried away by anger or hurt feelings. They know how to control themselves and do not respond to every insult with violence, retaliation, or verbal attacks. They wisely choose to "overlook" it.
5. The Prudent Act with Knowledge (Proverbs 13:16): A prudent person takes the time to gather facts and evaluate a situation before acting.
• Proverbs 13:16: "All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly."
• They evaluate the facts, seek counsel, and consider the consequences before making a decision. A fool, on the other hand, acts thoughtlessly and often suffers the painful consequences.
6. A Prudent Person Chooses Their Way Wisely (Proverbs 14:8; 4:26): A prudent person's path is not determined by popular opinion or the desires of the flesh, but by what is right and true.
• Proverbs 14:8: "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."
• Proverbs 4:26: "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways." They analyze, reflect, and make decisions based on truth, not fleeting trends.
7. A Prudent Person Accepts Correction (Proverbs 15:5; Hebrews 12:11): Prudence recognizes that correction, though often painful, is for our ultimate good.
• Proverbs 15:5: "A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence."
• Hebrews 12:11: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Even if it hurts, correction is healing for the soul and a mark of wisdom.
8. A Prudent Person Turns Away from Evil (Proverbs 22:3): Prudence is a defense against temptation and sin.
• Proverbs 22:3: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."
• The prudent do not expose themselves to sin unnecessarily. They know when to walk away from a tempting situation so as not to fall. They take refuge in the shelter of God's Word and in prayer.
9. The Prudent Build Upon Rock (Matthew 7:24-29): Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders is the ultimate teaching on prudence.
• Hearing and practicing the words of Christ is true prudence, building one's life upon a solid foundation.
• A fool hears but does not obey, and when the storms of life come, his fall is great.
10. The Prudent Prepare for the Coming of the Lord (Matthew 25:1-13): The parable of the ten virgins directly links prudence to our readiness for Christ's return.
• Like the five wise virgins who had their oil ready, we must be spiritually prepared and expectant.
• Prudence leads us to watchfulness, sober living, and holy conduct, so that we may be ready to meet the Lord at any moment.
II. Prudence Brings Rewards
The virtue of prudence is not its own reward, but it leads to a life that honors God and results in His blessings.
1. Prudence leads to eternal life: Those who act wisely and obediently, living each day with eternity in mind, will receive eternal rewards. The prudent steward is a faithful one. 2. A prudent woman is a blessing from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14): "Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." This beautiful proverb shows that a prudent spouse is not simply a matter of human effort; it is a gift from God. A prudent woman builds her home with wisdom, honors her husband, and is a profound blessing to her children.
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- Preaching on The woman with the Alabaster Jar Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9
- Preaching about prejudice and the Word of God
Conclusion
My beloved brothers and sisters, prudence is an indispensable virtue in the Christian life. It is the practical wisdom that allows us to navigate life's complexities with grace and integrity.
God is pleased with the prudent, who act wisely, speak sensibly, and obey His Word. May we all diligently seek this virtue, so that our lives may be a testament to His wisdom and our hearts may be ready for His glorious return.
