The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3 ESV
The message here is not to live in fear. Rather, it is to be aware of your circumstances. In this verse a prudent, or wise, person understands his circumstances and avoids the danger. The simple press on and suffer the consequences.
An example that comes to mind occurred in a children’s ministry area, which hosted 3-5 year old children. The church was doing some remodeling in this area, and my wife noticed some uncapped electric wires protruding from the wall in the play area. In this case, she was prudent. In other words, she recognized the circumstances and avoided playing with those open wires. On the other hand, it would be naive to think a 4 year-old would have the same understanding to avoid those wires. And, by not avoiding those wires, that 4-year-old would suffer the consequences.
This is a warning for our spiritual well-being as well. It is so easy to put our souls in danger by not recognizing the traps set by Satan. Or by simply pressing forward in an area of temptation, thinking “I can’t fall to this.”
Lord, help us to be more conscientious and wise about our surroundings that we may respond appropriately.
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