Being wise and prudent is not the same thing. Being prudent is the ability to act wisely. It is like a brother to being wise, they go hand-in-hand together. They are like partners in progress. So, Lady Wisdom said: “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence…” (Pro 8: 12). She is saying they are roommates. They live together. You cannot get one without the other. In fact, the Bible says: “the wise in heart will be called prudent…” (Pro 16: 21). Wisdom is the foundation of prudence.
Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline yourself through the use of reason. Being prudent means that you show good judgment, think carefully, and properly weigh all your options before you act (Pro 14: 15). You consider the consequences of your actions before you take any steps.
Being prudent means you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before embarking on any journey. It is possible to be knowledgeable but not insightful. Prudence is what helps you to be insightful (Pro 13: 16). Being insightful means you can see into things beyond what the natural eyes can see. You can see beyond the facts to the truth.
Being prudent means you pay attention to details. You carefully examine different situations before jumping to a conclusion. It means you are sensible and not senseless. King Solomon in Proverbs 14: 8 says: “the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way…” If you don’t understand your way, you will falter and mess things up. It will be very easy to be derailed from the path of purpose without prudence. So, being prudent involves being disciplined, principled, focused, and consistent in living out your values.
Unfortunately, many people today, don’t look before they leap. They just jump without thinking through stuff. A lack of foresight and thoughtfulness has plagued many people in today’s society. As a result, many people make rash, hasty decisions, such as those they make when getting married. Many are surprised by their choices after their marriage. These rude awakenings are a reason why there are so many divorces. It is as if they were surprised by their choices.
So, being prudent means that you make smart choices. It helps you to minimize damages. It reduces your chances of making things worse. it helps you not to spend much energy on trivial matters. It helps you not to use $1000 worth of energy on a one-cent issue. It helps you decide what to attend to or overlook. It helps you not to waste your time majoring in minor things or minoring in major things. We read in Proverbs 19:11
"An understanding person demonstrates patience, for mercy means holding your tongue. When you are insulted, be quick to forgive and forget it, for you are virtuous when you overlook an offense" (TPT).
Jesus wanting us to understand prudence asked us to count the cost before we follow Him. Being a disciple of Jesus will cost you something. It will demand something from you. So, being prudent means you can look at the risk involved in following Jesus and still make up your mind to do so.
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “if anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" Lk 14: 25-33).
Wisdom and prudence are meant to protect you from living like a fool. When you embrace them, you will not live anyhow. You will protect yourself and preserve your life:
"A prudent person with insight foresees danger coming and prepares himself for it. But the senseless rush blindly forward and suffer the consequences" (pro 22: 3; 27: 12, TPT).
Prayer: Lord, according to your word in Isa 52: 13, “Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.” I too enter into this prophetic declaration and proclaim that “I will deal wisely, prosper, and succeed! I will be highly honored, raised up, favored, and greatly exalted! in Jesus name.” Amen!
