Definition and Meaning:
Discretion is the quality of being judicious, prudent, and circumspect in one's actions and decisions. It involves the ability to discern what is appropriate, wise, and beneficial in various situations. In a biblical context, discretion is often associated with wisdom and understanding, guiding individuals to act in a manner that aligns with God's will and righteousness.

Biblical References:
The Bible frequently highlights the importance of discretion as a virtue that believers should cultivate. It is closely linked with wisdom and understanding, serving as a safeguard against folly and sin.

· Proverbs 2:11 : "Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you." This verse underscores the protective nature of discretion, suggesting that it acts as a guardian for those who possess it, steering them away from harmful paths.

· Proverbs 3:21 : "My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment." Here, discretion is equated with sound judgment and discernment, emphasizing its role in maintaining a righteous and prudent life.

· Proverbs 5:2 : "That you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge." This passage links discretion with the preservation of knowledge, indicating that a discreet person is one who speaks wisely and thoughtfully.

· Proverbs 11:22 : "Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." This vivid metaphor illustrates the incongruity and wastefulness of beauty without discretion, highlighting the value of inner wisdom over outward appearance.

The Role of Discretion in the Life of a Believer:
Discretion is a critical component of a believer's spiritual maturity and ethical conduct. It enables individuals to navigate complex moral landscapes, make decisions that honor God, and interact with others in a manner that reflects Christ-like character.

· Guidance in Speech and Conduct: Discretion influences how believers communicate and behave, encouraging them to speak truthfully and act justly. It helps in avoiding gossip, slander, and other forms of harmful speech, as seen in Proverbs 10:19 : "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."

· Protection from Temptation: By fostering a discerning spirit, discretion aids believers in recognizing and resisting temptations. It equips them to evaluate situations and relationships through the lens of Scripture, ensuring that their choices align with God's standards.

· Promoting Peace and Harmony: Discretion contributes to peaceful and harmonious relationships by encouraging patience, understanding, and forgiveness. It helps believers to respond to conflicts with grace and wisdom, as advised in Proverbs 19:11 : "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense."

Discretion as a Gift from God:
The Bible teaches that discretion, like wisdom, is a gift from God. It is granted to those who seek it earnestly and who walk in reverence of the Lord. James 1:5 assures believers, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This promise encourages believers to seek divine guidance in cultivating discretion, trusting that God will provide the necessary insight and understanding.

Conclusion:
While discretion is a personal virtue, it also has communal implications, influencing the broader Christian community. By exercising discretion, believers contribute to the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.1. (n.) Disjunction; separation.

2. (n.) The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.

3. (n.) Discrimination.

4. (n.) Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.

5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be
... from 5223 , "under" and 757, "begin, go first") -- properly, have (be in possession
of); what , especially what , ie is already one's discretion (note the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5225.htm - 8k

5223. huparxis -- subsistence, existence, property
... 5223 -- (from 5223, "exist possess beforehand," see there) -- properly, a possession
kept someone's authority, ie already at their discretion ("available"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5223.htm - 7k

4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... 4208, 4209. mezimmah. 4210 . purpose, discretion, device. Transliteration:
mezimmah Phonetic Spelling: (mez-im-maw') Short Definition: discretion. ...
/hebrew/4209.htm - 6k

7922. sekel -- prudence, insight
... Word Origin from sakal Definition prudence, insight NASB Word Usage discretion
(3), insight (4), intelligent* (1), repute (1), sense (1), shrewdness (1 ...
/hebrew/7922.htm - 6k

2940. taam -- taste, judgment
... Word Origin from taam Definition taste, judgment NASB Word Usage decree (1),
discernment (3), discreet (1), discretion (1), flavor (1), sanity (1), taste (4). ...
/hebrew/2940.htm - 6k

4941. mishpat -- judgment
... worthy (1). adversary, ceremony, charge, crime, custom, desert, determination,
discretion,. From shaphat; properly, a verdict (favorable ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

5843. eta -- counsel
... 5842, 5843. eta. 5844 . counsel. Transliteration: eta Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-taw') Short Definition: discretion. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/5843.htm - 6k

946. Bunah -- "intelligence," a man of Judah
... Bunah (1). Bunah. From biyn; discretion; Bunah, an Israelite -- Bunah. see
HEBREW biyn. 945, 946. Bunah. 947 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/946.htm - 6k

8395. tebusah -- a treading down, ruin, downfall
... Word Origin from bus Definition a treading down, ruin, downfall NASB Word Usage
destruction (1). discretion, reason, skillfulness, understanding, wisdom. ...
/hebrew/8395.htm - 6k

8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah {to-boo-naw'}; from biyn; intelligence; by
implication, an argument; by extension, caprice -- discretion, reason, skilfulness ...
/hebrew/8394.htm - 6k

6195. ormah -- craftiness, prudence
... guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. Feminine of orem; trickery; or (in a
good sense) discretion -- guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. ...
/hebrew/6195.htm - 6k

How to Seek for Discretion.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XVI. How to seek for discretion.
We ought then with all our might to strive for the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi how to seek.htm

What Discretion Alone Can Give a Monk; and a Discourse of the ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter II. What discretion alone can give
a monk; and a discourse of the blessed Antony on this subject. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii what discretion alone.htm

The Answer How True Discretion May be Gained.
... Chapter X. The answer how true discretion may be gained. Then Moses: True
discretion, said he, is only secured by true humility. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x the answer how.htm

Discretion the Better Part of Valour.
... Homily IV. Chapter V."Discretion the Better Part of Valour. "Wherefore I do not
think that any one will be able to quench such a fire as has been kindled. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v discretion the better part.htm

That by Indiscretion in This, Men Shall Keep Discretion in all ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That by indiscretion in this, men shall
keep discretion in all other things; and surely else never. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 3.htm

That in all Other Works Beneath This, Men Should Keep Discretion ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That in all other works beneath
this, men should keep discretion; but in this none. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 3.htm

What is Said of the Value of Discretion in Holy Scripture.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter IV. What is said of the value
of discretion in Holy Scripture. Such is discretion, which ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iv what is said.htm

How they be Deceived that Follow the Fervour of Spirit in ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER How they be deceived that follow
the fervour of spirit in condemning of some without discretion. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 4.htm

Of the Destruction of Two Brethren for Lack of Discretion.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter VI. Of the destruction of
two brethren for lack of discretion. What shall I say of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi of the destruction.htm

Abbot Moses' Introduction on the Grace of Discretion. And So when ...
... Chapter I. Abbot Moses' introduction on the grace of discretion. ... Chapter
I. Abbot Moses' introduction on the grace of discretion. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i abbot moses introduction.htm

Discretion (20 Occurrences)
...Discretion (20 Occurrences). ... 1 Timothy 2:15 But she shall be preserved in childbearing,
if they continue in faith and love and holiness with discretion. (DBY). ...
/d/discretion.htm - 12k

Prudence (9 Occurrences)
... (n.) Wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence,
also, economy; frugality. Int. ... Find out knowledge and discretion. ...
/p/prudence.htm - 11k

Discernment (43 Occurrences)
... Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given
to David the king a wise son, endued with discretion and understanding, that ...
/d/discernment.htm - 18k

Ishsechel
... ish'-se-kel ('ish sekhel, "man of discretion"): Ezra, at one time in need of ministers
for the house of God, sent "unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia ...
/i/ishsechel.htm - 6k

Ish-sechel (1 Occurrence)
... ish'-se-kel ('ish sekhel, "man of discretion"): Ezra, at one time in need of ministers
for the house of God, sent "unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia ...
/i/ish-sechel.htm - 7k

Foolish (259 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Marked with, or exhibiting, folly; void of
understanding; weak in intellect; without judgment or discretion; silly; unwise. ...
/f/foolish.htm - 36k

Preserve (61 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS). Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee,
understanding shall keep thee: (KJV DBY WBS). Proverbs ...
/p/preserve.htm - 23k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... counsel thee with mine eye upon thee," Psalm 32:8); of kul, "to contain," "to sustain"
(Psalm 112:5, "He will guide his affairs with discretion," the Revised ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 22:12 May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you
in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. ...
/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Queen (59 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To make a queen (or other piece, at the player's discretion) of by moving
it to the eighth row; as, to queen a pawn. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/q/queen.htm - 44k

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