Double Edged Discretion

Proverbs 5:2 (KJV) That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

The word “discretion” in this verse stood out to me.  It seems such a positive attribute.  It’s a quality that we often overlook as we plunge ahead in our day and in our plans.  We invest the minutes of our life without stopping to think whether it’s a good investment.

In the context, it has the idea of retaining good knowledge, but if you look at the use of the word, it tends to go both ways.  It is also translated, “mischievous thinking”.  And that’s where this becomes double edged.  We need to not only regard our actions with discretion, but we need to use that same discernment when we look at what others are doing and what other others are proclaiming.

So?  When you read the news, when you listen to the sermon, when you are given advice, make sure that you are listening with your spiritual ears with discernment or as it says here “discretion”.  Sometimes what seems to be great advice with a little thought is clearly the wrong path to go down.