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“Discretion is the better part of valor.” An idiom of Shakespeare’s Henry IV
A old proverb says, “It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful. If you are careful, you will not get into situations that require you to be brave.” DISCRETION is the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. It is a Middle English word in the sense of discernment – the ability to judge well. Discernment is perception (to be aware of something through the senses) in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding. If I am discerning, I have the ability to see beyond what I see. With discretion, I can wisely and empathetically decide what to do or say in a situation.
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Solomon wrote, “Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways…” Proverbs (2:11-15 NASB) David cried out to the Lord, “Teach me discernment and knowledge, For I believe in your commandments.” (Psalm 119:66) Have you ever asked the Lord to make you more discrete or to give you more discernment?
In 2 Kings 6 the king of Aram was about to siege the Jews. Each time he made a move, Elisha the prophet warned the king of Israel. Elisha was so accurate that the king of Aram thought he had a spy in his ranks! Frustrated, he attempted to send his armies to capture Elisha. As the Arameans were approaching, Elisha’s servant
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cried out, “Oh no, my lord! what shall we do?” (15) Elisha replied, “Don’t
be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them,” and Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this army with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness as Elisha asked, and he led them into an ambush. The LORD gave the victory into Elisha’s hands! He did not even have to kill the army, he just exposed them and sent them home with food and drink. Aram’s armies stopped raiding Israel’s territory. Discernment means the LORD has opened your eyes. Discretion means you know what to do when what you see isn’t really what you’re looking at!
