Is discretion part of your character?


Proverbs 5:2--Discretion. It's an old-fashioned word, like prudence. Discretion has become a missing-link in the evolution of our society.

Simply put, discretion is behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.

In the world of social media and whole networks with news and brutal commentary, how does one be discrete? And why is it important?

I know the obvious is that GOD says it's important, but why does He say it is a trait worth having?

This verse prefaces a long and serious lesson on seduction by a woman who can turn a phrase into honey and make you think her deception is the most eloquent, brilliant thing anyone could say. Her words carry an exciting sense of risk and caresses our need for adventure.

But her adventure will destroy lives.

So, for those of us not in the market for this type of seduction, what does this have to do with us?

The opposite of discretion is shortsightedness. Are we seduced into participating in expressing our opinions on everything from politics to parenting? Are we seduced into controversy that divides? Do we view 3 minute videos where we judge the life story of another and splay their integrity in diatribes that scorch?

Discretion holds back if only to not offend. It holds back to respect our personal lives in a world that judges so easily.

There are so many good things with social media, but the ease of communication means we must practice discretion. Use these opportunities to edify, instruct, or preserve knowledge. Respect others as we would like to be respected. Don't be seduced into easy responses that could cause harm to others and ourselves.

There's a Yiddish proverbs that goes: Words should be weighed, not counted. If we weigh the cost of what we say, perhaps the words would never leave our lips or fingertips.

May we maintain discretion, my friends.

Proverbs 5:2--...that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible#tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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