These four proverbs from chapter 14 speak to the discipline of discernment. The contrast is crystal clear: Wise people have discernment; foolish people do not.
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“The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.” (Proverbs 14.8)
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14.12)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14.15)
“One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.” (Proverbs 14.16)
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Having discernment means being self aware (see yourself clearly), and being situationally aware (see events and situations clearly).
The foolish person lacks both self-awareness and situational awareness. His discernment is seriously impaired. He does not see himself clearly, nor does he see situations clearly.
The causes of the lack of discernment:
- High trust in self, low trust in God.
- Failure to invest the time to think.
- Acting on impulse.
- Adopting what is popular. Conforming to social pressure.
- No spiritual or mental discipline.
The consequences of the lack of discernment:
- Self-deception.
- Blind to the reality of what’s going on around him.
- Blind to the reality of what’s going on within him.
- Gullible and vulnerable to being manipulated and exploited.
- Reckless and careless.
These consequences are devastating. Proverbs warns that the foolish man pays the ultimate price for his lack of discernment: “It’s end is the way to death.”
The wise person pays careful attention to himself and to the path he is following. He asks: Am I on the right path? He discerns his way. Am I doing the things the path requires? He gives thoughts to his steps.
The wise person is discerning about the standards and reference points he uses for his journey through life. He honors God and seeks the Lord’s wisdom for what path to follow. He does not get deceived by or caught up in the ways of the world.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
The wise person is self-aware, which means he is an intentional and skillful observer of himself. He diligently prays and asks the Lord to give him discernment about self and circumstances. Read Psalm 139, which is the Psalm of self-awareness. It ends with these two verses: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
The wise person is situationally aware. He pays careful attention to what is happening around him. He sees the situations of life with clarity. This is precisely the instruction given to us by the prophet Jeremiah: “Stand by the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6.16)
The wise person is humble. He is aware of the impulses of his old nature; therefore, he doesn’t believe everything he thinks. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Romans 12:3)
The wise person recognizes evil and turns away from it. When evil is disguised as an attractive lie, the wise man is discerning and able to see through the deceit.
Develop the discipline of discernment. Get feedback from people you trust. Seek the Lord and ask him to help you see situations with clarity and courage, and see yourself with clarity and courage.
