Proverbs 12:23 RA Pursue Prudence

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. To be prudent is to think about the future before you act… it is to consider what you do before you do it. But I wonder why and when would it be a good thing to withhold knowledge from others? Well it is surly good to withhold some things from others… A wise loan officer at the bank will not give funds to those who would use them foolishly even if they were in need. A pawn shop owner should never sell guns and bullets to someone without taking the time to get a background check… So yes, there are times to withhold even things that can be used for good… Why? because they can also be used for evil. A wise person needs to discern how knowledge will be used by others before they share it. Do you think a prudent man would share the mistakes and sins of people he knows with all his neighbors? Of course not! Whether true or not this is called gossip… and it serves no benefit to the person who sinned or those who hear it or the one who shares it… Again, our text says: A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. So yes, it is the fool who blurts out gossip… But a prudent man may share knowledge in the right circumstances… because being prudent he considers wisdom… He does share truth and knowledge for the benefit of others and God… He may choose a trusted friend to share with and to pray for the person who has sinned or the prudent man may ask someone to go with him to visit the person and help them see their sin and how Jesus is the greatest treasure in the Universe. Let us be people who pursue prudence instead of proclaiming foolishness.