Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly

The Seven Pillars of Character - No. 6 Discretion & No. 7 Understanding

Proverbs 4:7 (AMP)

⁷ The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).

Introduction: I have been speaking to you about "Character" taken from the book "The Elephant in the Room" by Robb Thompson and in particular about the "Seven Pillars of Character" which the first five are "self-control, compliance, honesty, compassion, and attentiveness." Today I want to continue and finish this series bringing you my message on "discretion and understanding." The Bible does not use the word discretion but instead has much to say about "Discernment;" It also has much to say about "Understanding." First let me begin by talking about "Discretion."

What does discretion mean?

 1. Robb Thompson says this of "discretion:" Discretion is the guard that protects an individual from the calamity of a multitude of words. A person of discretion understands how to accurately discern a situation so that he or she says no more than they are asked to say." He also says that "only a fool speaks his or her whole mind."
 2. Dictionary: Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress.
 3. Refined taste; tact.
 4. The trait of judging wisely and objectively.
 5. Synonyms: discernment, discreetness, prudence.
 6. Therefore, discretion is having the discernment of wise, objective judgment in all that we say and do.
 7. Proverbs 3:21 NIV "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight."

What does understanding mean?

 1. Robb Thompson says "An understanding heart is a key factor in having the ability to readily translate instruction into personal discipline, good conduct, and behavior that is right, just, and fair."
 2. Dictionary: The capacity for rational thought, inference, or discrimination.
 3. Synonyms: discernment, interpreting, reason.
 4. Understanding is to comprehend the meaning of something and be able to do something with it or about it. It means to GET IT.

What are the results and rewards of developing an understanding heart?

 1. We learn to walk in compliance.  We must dismantle our lives, cut out anything that is the least bit unethical, and then put our lives back together again, according to proven principles.
 2. We have the ability to distinguish and follow the right path, in any situation. In every situation we will consider integrity to be the right choice. Understanding ensures that the voice of principle means more than the voice of excuse.
 3. The reward of nurturing an understanding heart is the enjoyment of a good life. A person of understanding is continually built up, refreshed, and renewed by the wellspring of his or her virtuous life.

What are hindrances to understanding?

 1. Not understanding the Word of God. Matthew 13:19 (NKJV)
19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
 2. Having a blind and dark heart. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NKJV)
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
 3. Unbelief. John 8:43 &45 (NKJV)
⁴³ Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. ⁴⁵ But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

Conclusion: God desires that we be people of discretion and understanding. Discretion will keep us from embarrassment and distress; and discernment will make us wise in our decision making in what we do and don't do. Understanding will allow us to "get it" and not have stuff going over our heads because we have heard but not listened. Understanding will allow us to do something about what we have listened to and give our character firm support as pillars. How are our pillars? We are going into a New Year and what a great time to polish our character and firm up its support with the proper foundation and pillars.

Close: Colossians 1:9-11 (AMP)

⁹ For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—
¹⁰ That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
¹¹ [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy.