The Parts

Prov 27.17

lips of the discerning – the word “discerning” means “between.” Only by drawing distinctions between right and wrong, truth and error, can “wisdom” be heard! In a world of relativism, when most say there is no standard, no foundation, then to “discern” is a place of continual drift, such is our world! We’re suffering for discernment, insight, understanding, perception!

wisdom – “wisdom” in Hebrew is always “skill in living.” It’s not just knowledge!

rod – the “rod” is a corrective instrument, not punitive! Notice Prov 26.3 below. Consider Ps 32.3-4, where God’s “hand” was correcting David so he could be restored. Also consider Heb 12.3-11, the father’s discipline is to restore!

References to consider:

Prov 10.31
³¹ The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Prov 13.3
³ The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Prov 26.3
³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.

Prov 14.3
³ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.

Isaiah 11.4
⁴ But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

Prov 15.7
⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.

Sharpening for my life today:

Here is a great lesson on a key quality of character, discernment.

Learning to distinguish, and it’s always according to the reliable standard of God’s Word, is the key to “skill in living,” that is, “wisdom.”

Learning to distinguish brings the necessity of growing in understanding God’s Word. The writer of Hebrews well says in Heb 5.14,

¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

So, maybe it’s time in your life to get in some “practice” in spiritual growth? Find a solid Bible teaching fellowship of believers, then ask the Lord to direct you to someone or some group where you can learn God’s Word!

The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, prayed when he was established as King, 1 Kings 3.6-9,

⁶ Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. ⁷ “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸ “Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. ⁹ “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Be certain to read God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer, 1 Kings 3.10-12!

The Apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi, Phil 1.9-11,

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Learning to distinguish is essential to the kind of character that honors God (don’t miss that “discernment” is God’s Character!).

Learning to distinguish is essential to being guided by God!

Take an honest look at the things crossing your path, calling for your attention, inviting your participation, could be time for some of God’s guiding, wisdom, “distinguishing between”!

Remember, the wise, who distinguish, are guided by wisdom. Those who lack “distinguishing” are guided forcibly, like an animal which lacks understanding!

Prov 15.21 says “a man of understanding walks straight.” It’s a great way to go!