Prudent: Shrewd But Innocent
Friday March 28
The Word for Today is “prudent.” Today, in our reading of Proverbs 14:15-26, we have a lesson on prudence. The sage says, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his step (OSB vs. 15). Today we will probe what “prudence” means.
The term “prudence” has gone out of favor, but it is a key to Proverbs. We know the term primarily for its derivative “prudish.” Those who are prudish are concerned about what is formally proper. They are “stuck up,” snobbish, and judgmental about keeping the rules. In Hebrew, the term means crafty, shrewd, and sensible (Strong’s #6175). In short, the prudent are the clever, even cunning.
“Prudent,” The Opposite of “Gullible”
We might object that this thought doesn’t seem a lofty or spiritual virtue. But let’s consider its opposite, the simple. Some might translate the Hebrew term as “innocent.” But that is misleading. The term means that the “simple” are innocent of sense. They will believe anything and everything. So, they are easily led astray.
Thus, the opposite are those who are not led astray but literally “watch” their steps. The “prudent” look ahead and know where they are going. This foresight means they can take a straight path toward their goals and are not easily deterred.
A RECOMMENDATION OF “CRAFTINESS”
This idea of prudence as “craftiness” may be surprisingly desirable for the believer. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples on the mission of announcing the Kingdom, he said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep amid wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16, KJV). The New International Version says, “Be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” What did that mean? As they announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, the disciples were to be innocent of base motives and underhanded ways, but wary of the wolves who would oppose them. And they were to be “street smart” in their presentation of the Kingdom. Just as Jesus craftily answered the attacks of the Pharisees, so they were to be resourceful in their proclamation and shrewd in the defense of the Gospel.
For Reflection
In our faith journey, we must be wise in our chosen direction. Not all seemingly convincing claims are reliable. The “newer” we are to the faith, the more susceptible we are to taking futile paths. The wise course is to consider carefully what constitutes sound spiritual direction and what constitutes a genuine community of faith. As Orthodox, we have spiritual resources to draw on: the Holy Mysteries (sacraments), Orthodox priests, parishes, and monasteries. Orthodox publications, especially those by the church fathers, such as The Orthodox Study Bible and the lectionary (daily Bible readings), are a treasure trove from which to draw spiritual guidance. We might wisely consider what use we are making of these reliable resources.