Proverbs 2:11. discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
Discretion is the ability to think before you act. It rejects impulsivity, and measures its responses instead.
Discretion is the result of wisdom, the fear of the Lord – knowing God and caring about what he cares about. Therefore, discretion isn’t just thinking before you act, it is thinking like God before you act. It is asking yourself what the godly thing to do is in this situation. It is praying before you make that decision, or vent those feelings. It is allowing the grace of God to enter into your heart before you respond to an enemy. It goes beyond morality by asking not only what is right and wrong, but also what is best. Finally, discretion remembers the path principle choosing not only what is good in the moment, but also looking ahead to the course this decision will set me on.
Christ’s discretion saved our lives. In the wilderness, as Jesus was tempted by Satan, he did not respond impulsively. Rather, he used his discretion. A discretion rooted in scripture and in faith. His discretion watched over him. He was able to resist the Devil’s attack because of his godly discretion – the ability to process things through the lens of his position in the Father. He trusted his Father rather than caving in to the temptation in front of him. And because he did we can share his reward, eternal life.
The Apostle Paul also practiced discretion in his ministry for the sake of the gospel. Look at how he describes his willingness to set aside his own rights for the sake of others.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23. 19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Paul refused to let his life be an offense to anyone. His godly discretion allowed him to become all things to all people. Why? So that some may be saved.
In Christ, we can live from this same discretion. Christ in us helps us to discern every situation, every trial, every temptation, every success and every failure, even every other person. Christian, we have the mind of Christ. A mind that would not consider our own good, but the good of others. The mind of the Servant, who set aside a life in Heaven for the sake of the glory of God. A mind that uses the gift of discernment to love and care for all as the situation and setting requires. Why? For the sake of the gospel.
You: In what ways is discretion (thinking first before speaking or acting) difficult for you?
You in Christ: Christ’s discretion on earth saved us. It kept him from sinning. In what way must Jesus’ salvation be the starting point for our own discretion?
Christ in you: Begin a new habit of seeking Christ before you make decisions or vent your feelings. Be honest with him and let him apply his love to your heart first, before you act.
Pray: Father, truly I need your discernment to watch over me. Cause me to think about your deep love for me in Christ before I do anything foolish. Amen.
To Live is Christ 