Proverbs 2:10-11

In our context, we are going to see what wisdom, knowledge and discretion. Wisdom and Knowledge, we saw can only come from God Himself. Discretion is what we find in Proverbs 1:4 as one of the things we receive from reading and studying Proverbs. In our text, we are setting the stage for what is to come. Therefore, this devotional will be a little smaller due to the fact we will explore how discretion and understanding will save and preserve us.

Now we find what Discretion can protect us from. We will not go through it all today due to the depth that it takes. However, we can read ahead and see what discretion can protect us from. It is found in Proverbs 2:12b-17. Each one of these will be dealt with in their own, but notice first:

Proverbs 2:10 where we will receive wisdom in the heart. The heart, as we have discussed, is the control center of the body. Biblically, Jesus points out the heart, not the mind as being the area where control and the motives of the heart and life originate from. From the wisdom, we will have with it the knowledge, because now we are able to understand and have wisdom to what is being said. Then this knowledge will be pleasant to your soul or, as the Hebrew Word here would mean, delightful.

Proverbs 2:11 shows us the completion and aid we receive because with the wisdom and knowledge, we will then have a framework upon which we can evaluate what we see, hear, and read. This is discretion. Notice discretion will preserve us. Preservation is what the world around us wants. They want to preserve themselves, or their ideologies. But, in preserving, many look at their physical life and possessions, but they completely ignore their spiritual nature. That is often left in a place where it is dead in sin and will find itself in hell for all eternity (Mark 8:36). With this discretion, understanding is much easier to obtain. This understanding will keep us. So let us look at these two statements throughout scripture.

First is the discretion will preserve you. This phrase is found only four times throughout Scripture. First we find that it is the Lord who is going to preserve us from all evil (Psalm 121:7). We find it here in Proverbs 2:11 where discretion will preserve us. In Proverbs 4:6, the wisdom and understanding will preserve us as long as we do not forsake it. Lastly, a promise from God to the nation of Israel that He will preserve them and will restore them.

Preservation is not foreign to the Bible nor is it out of God’s ability. As a Christian, we need to realize that we too will be preserved by God as we are found in Jesus Christ. We find Paul teaches this in 1 Corinthians 1:8. Jude is written to those who are kept for Jesus Christ. Dear believers, please understand that if we are in Jesus Christ and are forgiven by Him, we are covered by His righteousness. As such, He will be a shield to us and will bring us to Himself and will present us to Himself. This is why Jesus said what He does in John 10:27-30. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, there is nothing the world can do to harm our spiritual souls. We are found in Jesus Christ. Our eternal state is sealed and we have nothing to fear but God Himself (Matthew 10:28).

The next phrase, keep you, is used 14 times. God promised Abraham and Moses He would keep them (Genesis 28:15; Exodus 23:20). This phrase is part of the prayer the Levites gave over the people in Numbers 6:24. There is a false sense of keeping in things that are not found in God (Job 36:19). We have already mentioned Proverbs 2:11 and Proverbs 4:6, but in Proverbs 6:22, the law and command will keep us, even when we sleep, and wisdom in Proverbs 7:5! Jude ends his book with Jude 1:24 where God will keep the readers (that would be us included!).

All of this to say, if we take this wisdom, knowledge, and discretion, which comes only from the Lord, our lives, our spiritual lives, will be preserved by God. But there are physical preservation that we receive as well. What are we protected from? This is what we find in Proverbs 2:12-17. So what are we preserved from?

Proverbs 2:12 – The evil way and the man who speaks perverse things.

Proverbs 2:13 – Those who leave the paths of uprightness for darkness.

Proverbs 2:14 – Those who rejoice in evil and perversity.

Proverbs 2:15 – Those who have crooked and devious ways.

Proverbs 2:16 – The immoral woman, and the flattering seductress

Please understand, these pitfalls cannot and will not be avoided unless we have the Wisdom, knowledge and discernment of God. Many of these things will look good. But as we read in the Scriptures this is not hard for Satan to do (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Stay in the Word of God. Stand in His wisdom. Know that He is the One who has the right path. And with that, we can be preserved and protected.