Prudence with Wisdom vs Prudence Without Wisdom.

Prudence with wisdom comes from God, and prudence without wisdom is simply the wisdom of man. There are many instances in history of the wisdom of man leading mankind astray. The Nazis had prudence in terms of the military, in terms of science and in other areas. Germany historically had produced many geniuses, such as Beethoven in music and Gauss in mathematics. However, the Nazis had rejected God. But because they did not have prudence with the wisdom of God, they were an intellectual barbarism who sunk mankind into the abyss of World War 2 and the Holocaust. Billy Graham had prudence and the wisdom of God, and as a result he was able to become the greatest evangelist of all time.

The Bible allocates a certain amount of wisdom to getting older. Job 12:12 states that “Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” [1] Therefore there is the understanding that wisdom is acquired with the passing of time. This is prudence with wisdom, that a person may acquire wisdom through life experience. The Bible also states in Psalms 37: 30 that “The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.”[2] ?Because a person is godly, they are able to tap into the wisdom of God. And in doing so, they can disseminate this wisdom to others. As a person gets older, they acquire prudence and wisdom and are able to teach people the correct path. When I graduated law school, I was able to teach someone who was in law school the correct path, and they were very grateful for it. Because I had already went that way, I had already gone that path, I was able to teach her the rights and wrongs of law school and she was able to get good grades.

The Bible teaches about the fear of the lord, which is prudence with wisdom. Job had experienced a lot of suffering, but through it all he did not forget the Lord his God. In Job 28:28 it states, “Behold,?the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom , and to depart from evil is understanding.” [3] David was also one of the people who had experienced a lot of suffering and his suffering matured him. ?

David was able to look back upon his life and was able to state that it was the grace of the Lord that sustained him. In Psalm 107:43 it states, “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the?great love ?of the LORD.?“[4] The Bible contrasts having the fear of the Lord with not having the fear of the Lord. In Proverbs 1:7 it states, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”[5] Part of wisdom is discipline. It is the discipline to say no and the discipline to follow what is right. Part of the foolishness of the world is to be wise according to self. When someone has pride, they cannot have prudence with wisdom. Proverbs 3:7 states, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”[6] Part of the fear of the Lord is that it will allow mankind to pick prudence with wisdom and pick the righteousness that comes with following God.

The Bible speaks of wisdom as emanating from God. Wisdom is spoken of in reverential terms and that we should get wisdom at all costs. The Bible says in Proverbs, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” [7] We should not put limitations on ourselves and believe that since we were young and foolish, that we have to grow old in foolishness as well. Prudence with wisdom is rewarded, but prudence without wisdom is punished because it is just mankind’s foolishness. In Proverbs 10:13 it states, “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.” [8] Those who will not heed wisdom will be punished, but those who will heed prudence with wisdom will be rewarded.

Part of prudence with wisdom is knowing when to speak. It is the wise man who is cautious in tongue, and such caution can save his life and much strife. Proverbs 10:19 states that “When words are many,?sin ?is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” [9] There is an abundance of sin when words are many. But someone who knows when to keep quiet will be blessed by God, because he does not speak out of wrath but out of caution. In Proverbs 11:2 it says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”.[10] Oftentimes when people speak, it is because of rashness that will lead to a downfall. But it is the humble who know that they do not have to speak and vindicate themselves everytime they are attacked.

???????????The Bible also speaks of prudence with wisdom as speaking wisely when it is time to speak. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30 that “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” [11] People will be drawn to someone who speaks well and have prudence with wisdom. They will want to hear what the person has to say, and will be willing to give them what they want. They will want to collaborate with that person and associate with that person. In Proverbs 12:18, it espouses, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. “[12] Prudence without wisdom leads to heedless words, that can injure and antagonize. But a person who is discerning will know how to speak, and this will bring healing to people. People will feel renewed and not attacked.

???????????The Bible exhorts people to have prudence with wisdom, and part of that is to listen to when people give advice. Proverbs 13:1 states, “A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.”[13] A wise person listens to the advice of elders, and recognizes in elders an opportunity to learn from people who have been there before. He will learn from them and their words will be a light to him. A foolish person will rely on his own wisdom, to have prudence without wisdom, and this will be his downfall. A foolish person will also be more likely to argue and get into fights. In Proverbs 13:10, it affirms, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”[14] To take pride in one’s wisdom is to have prudence without wisdom, and that can lead to arguments which help no one. It takes a certain amount of wisdom and humility to listen to advice, even if that advice is criticism.

???????????In 1 Corinthians 1:18 it affirms the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.[15] The message of Christ does not make sense in man’s mere understanding, but it makes total sense with the discerning of the Spirit. Part of prudence with wisdom is being able to embrace Christ, and the goodness of Christ in the land of the living. Therefore, God gives the wisdom to choose, because even the ability to choose Christ would be impossible without the intervention of God. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 it states , “It is because of him that you are in?Christ Jesus , who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and?redemption . It states that it was through the intervention of God that we were able to become saved, and therefore it was not our own prudence, but the wisdom of God. “[16]

The Bible warns that since his people have prudence with wisdom, they will engage in certain activities and abstain from certain activities. In Proverbs 20:1 it states, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”[17] The Bible says that those who have wisdom will moderate their alcohol intake. Also those with wisdom will discipline their child, because it is for their own benefit. In Proverbs 29:15 it affirms, “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.” [18] A disciplined child grows up to be a productive member of society who is able to work, but an undisciplined child can be an abomination.

In conclusion, the Bible says that prudence with wisdom comes from God. In Colossians 2:2-3 it states that , “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely,?Christ , in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [19] Prudence without wisdom is man’s folly. The Soviet Union had plenty of intelligent people, but their society was doomed to fail because they did not seek the intelligence of God.

The Bible says that those who want wisdom should turn to God first. In James 1:5 it affirms, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”[20] The Bible talks about the goodness of God’s wisdom when it espouses in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and?good fruit , impartial and sincere.” So prudence with wisdom comes from God, and prudence without wisdom is from man. We should choose prudence with wisdom. [21]

[1] Job 12:12.

[2] Psalms 37:30.

[3] Job 28:28

[4] Psalms 107:43

[5] Proverbs 1:7

[6] Proverbs 3:7

[7] Proverbs 4:7

[8] Proverbs 10:13.

[9] Proverbs 10:19.

[10] Proverbs 11:2

[11] Proverbs 11:30

[12] Proverbs 12:18.

[13] Proverbs 13:1

[14] Proverbs 13:10.

[15] 1 Corinthians 1:18

[16] 1 Corinthians 1:30.

[17] Proverbs 20:1.

[18] Proverbs 29:15

[19] Colossians 2:2-3

[20] James 1:5

[21] James 3:17.?