Prudence: The Application Of Wisdom

Introduction:

Prudence is defined as: the quality of being prudent; cautiousness.

If you were to look up synonyms for this word you would find: wisdom.

An unknown author is quoted as saying: “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.”

Anthony T. Hincks said: “Your knowledge is not in question, but your wisdom is.”

Today, we are wanting to consider the application of wisdom by observing two examples and end by making some application for the modern world.

I. THE LIFE OF SOLOMON.

When Solomon used prudence.

Solomon showed prudence before he had God’s blessing.

The Lord was with him.

2 Chronicles 1:1.

Solomon put God first.

2 Chronicles 1:2-6.

Solomon showed prudence when God offered him a blessing.

God gave him the ability to ask for a blessing.

2 Chronicles 1:7.

Solomon understood God’s role in his kingship.

2 Chronicles 1:8-9.

Solomon asked for what would benefit his people and said—Wisdom.

2 Chronicles 1:10.

God allowed Solomon to have his request and even gave bonus blessings.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12.

2 Chronicles 9:13-28.

Solomon’s Successes:

Solomon’s prowess as king was felt.

2 Chronicles 1:13-17.

Solomon’s prudence allowed him to have an audience with “well-known” people.

2 Chronicles 9:1-2.

Solomon’s prudence brought people to an understanding of God.

2 Chronicles 9:3-13.

Solomon’s prudence protected his subjects.

1 Kings 3:16-28.

When Solomon avoided prudence.

Solomon avoided prudence when it came to his relationships.

Solomon loved strange women.

1 Kings 11:1.

Solomon avoided prudence when it came to his loyalty in those relationships.

He allowed these women to change him and his allegiance to God.

1 Kings 11:2-8.

God punished Solomon for his lack of prudence.

God tore the kingdom away (save one tribe) and gave it to his servants.

1 Kings 11:9-13.

Solomon had adversaries the rest of his life.

1 Kings 11:14, 23, 26.

Why did Solomon’s life end up the way it did?

It did not have to happen this way.

God had equipped him with the very request that he made.

Solomon was the one who decided to “turn his wisdom off” due to the influences of his love interests.

For all the wisdom he possessed, his desire to serve himself was stronger.

He had it all!

Everything he could have needed.

But it was not want he wanted.

II. THE LIFE OF DANIEL & HIS FRIENDS.

When “the group” showed prudence.

An immediate challenge.

When Daniel and his friends found themselves in captivity they were faced with an immediate challenge.

They were told of a diet that Babylon used and wanted them to begin in their own lives.

Daniel 1:1-7.

There are a few possible problems with the Israelites eating the King’s diet.

First, perhaps these items were foods offered to idol gods.

Second (and most likely in my opinion), God had forbidden them from eating items that would be deemed “unclean.”

Livestock forbidden (Leviticus 11:4-8).

Sea creatures forbidden (Leviticus 11:10-12).

Birds forbidden (Leviticus 11:13-19).

Insects forbidden (Leviticus 11:20, 23).

Blood eating and type of catching and hunting forbidden (Leviticus 17:10-14).

God had given them the ability to discern clean from unclean Leviticus 11:47).

A prudent response.

Daniel and his friends show us exactly what to do when we are faced with such a challenge.

How to handle the matter internally.

Do not defile yourself with what God calls unclean.

Psalm 141:4.

Peter understood that certain foods were “off limits” but failed to see that in his case God had begun a cleansing and an allowance for those to eat those items (Acts 10:11-15).

Yet, Daniel did not have such liberties and had to determine to not eat the very food his captors required (Daniel 1:8).

This was an internal decision that set the tone for the rest of this conflict.

How to handle the matter externally.

Be respectful (Daniel 1:8).

Be loving (Daniel 1:11-13).

Be attentive (Daniel 1:9-10).

Trust that doing the right thing will work out in the end (Daniel 1:14-17).

When the friends showed prudence.

Leaders are not always prudent.

Some leaders are duped into believing they are worthy of worship (Daniel 3:1-7).

These same leaders become furious when someone rebels (Daniel 3:8-12, 13-14).

These same leaders showcase more arrogance than any other trait (Daniel 3:15).

Another prudent response.

There is only one God worthy of worship.

Daniel 3:16-18.

He delivers.

Trust in Him no matter the threat of punishment.

Daniel 3:17.

He is faithful to protect us.

Daniel 3:19-25.

Living a prudent life can lead people to knowing who God is.

Daniel 3:26-30.

When Daniel showed prudence.

Daniel showed prudence in his treatment of authority.

The same respect that must be shown for the great leaders must be demonstrated for the bad ones.

Daniel could have allowed the wickedness of Nebuchadnezzar to deter him from doing what was right.

He could have caused strife under the guise of Nebuchadnezzar's character.

Yet, he always showed respect

Babylonians recognized Nebuchadnezzar as King (Daniel 2:4).

So did Daniel.

Daniel 2:27.

Daniel 2:28.

Daniel 2:29.

Daniel 2:31.

The result of such respect even for a King that was not living for God as he should?

Daniel 2:49.

Daniel showed prudence in his treatment of the Law and His God.

Daniel’s friends were the only ones who were faced with showing ungodly reverence to an unworthy King.

His circumstances are unique though in that he had a trap set for him.

He had become so advanced in his placement that he became a threat to the Governors and Satraps (Daniel 6:1-3).

So, they plotted against him to find a way to get him out of their way (Daniel 6:4-5).

They went to the King and flattered him into signing a decree that would certainly ensnare Daniel (Daniel 6:6-9).

Yes, Daniel “fell for the trap” but that is only because of the great faithfulness that he had toward living righteously (Daniel 6:5, 10).

Even when Daniel was to be put to death for his “crime” is there any doubt he would not change a single thing (Daniel 6:11-17)?

He was delivered from the lions (Daniel 6:18-23).

Not serving the true God of Heaven is what got the Israelites into the mess of Babylonian captivity anyways (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

Daniel was not going to continue in the very problem that put him into Babylonian (and eventually Medo-Persian) captivity.

Just like his friends, Daniels prudence brought the God to the forefront of an idolatrous nation.

King Darius now declares that the enemies of God be cast into the lions den (Daniel 6:24).

Then, he declares that God deserves what he had decreed for himself earlier (Daniel 6:25-28).

III. TEXT TAKEAWAYS.

It is possible to allow relationships to destroy us.

Solomon had such a good thing going.

No one can deny that he was the wisest that ever lived on the earth outside of Jesus.

No one can deny all the good he began doing.

No one can deny all that he had done before his wisdom increased.

He threw it all away for relationships that did not matter the most.

Friends, it is so important that we do not allow relationships to keep us from God.

You know of some relationships in your life (past, present, and in some cases yet future) that are toxic to your faith.

“Well, I know how to handle them.”

“I am smart enough to answer their skeptical concerns.”

Are we to suggest that our knowledge is greater than Solomon?

If he can allow relationships to destroy him...

We can do the same.

It is possible to utilize prudence.

Solomon started off using prudence.

I know that one can live a life full of wisdom because of what he shows me one can do with God on their side.

I know that he could have continued on the path he started if he did not turn off the wisdom he had been blessed to have.

Daniel and his friends showed its possible.

If Daniel and company could keep themselves from compromising in a time of great physical uncertainty then what is our excuse?

We are so blessed to have the ability to have open discussions without the fear of death in our country that it is so sad that so many of us have had moments where we keep the wisdom we have gained to ourselves.

This just proves us to be more foolish than wise.

Certainly not what God intends for us.

Prudence is not just an OT subject.

Why just OT examples?

“Michael, both of the examples you used are from the OT. So how can that apply to us?”

First, we know the whole Bible is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Secondly, the OT was written for our learning (Romans 15:4).

The NT teaches us this too.

Consider what the Apostle Peter wrote about wisdom.

Second Peter is about how people had at one time come to the knowledge of God and then later became unfruitful.

Essentially, they had prudence as their daily living and like Solomon turned from it.

For example:

They were called to life and godliness through knowledge (2 Peter 1:2-8).

They escaped but were again entangled (2 Peter 2:18-22).

They were instructed to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18).

What you know and how you live are two different matters.

Solomon knew what was right.

What good is head knowledge if you cannot apply it to your life?

A lot of brilliant people will not be known on the day of Judgment (Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23).

Daniel and his friends lived what was right.

These young men far surpassed the wisdom of Solomon.

Not in the actual category of knowing what to do.

But knowing how to live.

Conclusion:

I would rather be ignorant and righteous.

Than brilliant and lost.

I would love to find a way to be both.

That is what living prudently is all about.