How to Develop Discretion

I Chr. 22:11-13 "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would. May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged."

Proverbs 2:11 says "Discretion will guard over you. Understanding will keep you."

There are various definitions for discretion. But I like this one: "the ability or power to decide responsibly." Some people think that discretion is something you are either born with or not. I don't believe that. Daniel learned discretion. I believe Daniel's discretion came from his learning and meditation of the law of God and his prayer life. If it worked for Daniel over 2500 years ago, it still works today. You and I can learn and develop discretion.

Here are a few tips for developing discretion.

1. IT STARTS WITH THE SMALL THINGS - Like knowing when to speak and knowing when not to speak. Knowing how to make good decisions. Knowing who to associate with and who not to hang out with. How do we know these things? I think it starts at a early age with parents teaching and modeling these kinds of things. Daniel had such parents who took him to hear King Josiah as he expounded on the law of God to those in Israel before the captivity would come some fifteen years later for Daniel.

2. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING - and the Holy Spirit who leads us and teaches us all things as disciples of Christ will teach you discretion. I'm not kidding. Daniel prayed three times daily. One of the Apostle Paul's commands by the Spirit is to "pray always." You walk with him daily. You let the Spirit control your life. You will have discretion...no matter your past.

3. THE WORD OF GOD - will teach you discretion. Reading, studying, and meditating on God's Word will develop discretion in you through the Holy Spirit. He will put truth in your inward parts.

Let discretion guard over you this week!

-Pastor