August 2, 2023

The Bible Edge

Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have a Bible Edge

Proverbs 11:22

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Imagine a pig with a jewel of gold in its nose. What a contrast! A pig spends its time rooting around in mud becoming a slimy creature with snot and slobber in and around the nose area. If you ever see a hog up close you will find that there are long hairs coming out and surrounding the nose, these hairs are usually caked with muck and mire. Now, in the middle of all that, imagine a beautiful ornament of gold with a precious jewel in it.

At best it would look awkward, like it didn’t belong. At worst, the ornament would be covered in mud, slobber, rotted food, and other unattractive debris which would render the beauty meaningless, for there would be no beauty there. Just an expensive ornament that is repulsive to the observer. So is a person that is without discretion. Something that should be beautiful is rendered ugly by contrast.

So, how can we make sure that we are people that have discretion? Dig into God’s Word and get wisdom. Being a person of discretion is having prudence and knowledge to discern what is correct and proper. Proverbs 2:10-11 tells us: When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul: Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: So discretion is very important. Individuals without discretion are like a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, whereas a person of discretion will be preserved.

By the way, this is my wife’s favorite word picture found in the Bible. Ladies, you can blame her for this devotion. What is your favorite word picture found in God’s word? Share it with me and I’ll write a devotion about it and give you the credit. That is if you want it!

William T. Howe, Ph.D.