Discretion in the Bible has a wide range of meanings. If you’re unfamiliar with what discretion is or why it’s important to understand, this post will give you an overview of the meaning of discretion from a Biblical perspective.
The phrase “with discretion” means that you should do something in a way that is safe, responsible, and not harmful to others.
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Discretion in the Bible
Some of the Bible’s most famous verses are about the importance of discretion. The Book of Proverbs, for example, tells us that the wise man will be “discreet” (Proverbs 11:22), while Ecclesiastes teaches that “the discretion of a man make him slow to anger” (3:7).
In addition to being called “discreet,” God is also referred to as a “discerning judge” in several passages in the Old Testament ( Exodus 23:2). This term also appears frequently in New Testament writings as well, where it is used to describe Jesus’s role as judge over humanity (e.g., Matthew 22:14).
Scripture references the Biblical principle of “discretion” in a number of ways. In the Old Testament, for example, God says:
Leviticus 19:18 KJV
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord-
Leviticus 19:18 KJV
In this passage, we see that God wants His people to be loving and compassionate toward everyone—even those who have wronged them. He does not want them to seek revenge or feel anger toward those who have harmed them. He instead wants them to love their neighbors as they love themselves, which means loving them even when it’s hard or painful to do so.
John 13:34 KJV
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.-
John 13:34 KJV
Here we see that Jesus’ followers are called upon to continue loving one another even after they’ve been hurt by others. He also tells us that we should show compassion for one another by helping those who are hurting (see Matthew 25:35-46) and that we should do this without expecting anything in return from others at all times.
Discretion Bible definition
The word discretion refers to a person’s ability to make decisions based on the circumstances. In this case, it is used in reference to a biblical sense.
The Bible uses discretion in several different ways. For example, the Bible says that “he who withholds his hand from doing evil, he will also not lose his reward”. This can be interpreted as meaning that he who does not do wrong will receive good things in return. The same verse also says that “the righteous will inherit the land and dwell therein forever.” Again, this seems to be a reference to people getting what they deserve in life.
Another example of discretion used in the Bible relates to how we should treat others: “Jesus said unto him, ‘If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor'” (Matthew 19:21). Here, Jesus is saying that we should not be afraid of losing our possessions if we think they will bring us happiness—this is an example of putting #Bible values into action.
Discretion is a key virtue in the Bible.
The word discretion means “the ability to choose or decide between two or more possibilities”. The Bible teaches that we should always be discerning in our actions, especially when it comes to moral decisions.
Proverbs 22:3 KJV
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.-
Proverbs 22:3 KJV
This passage teaches us that if we see something bad happening, we should hide from it so that it never happens to us. The Bible also tells us not to be proud of ourselves or our own good deeds. If you do good deeds without being proud of them, then God will reward those deeds later on when you least expect him to—and he will reward them more generously than any other reward you could ever receive.
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.-
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
This verse shows us how important discretion is when making moral decisions. Discretion allows us to choose between two options without judging which option is better than another option based on our personal preferences alone.
The Bible also tells us not to be proud of ourselves or our own good deeds (Ecclesiastes 8:2). If you do good deeds without being proud of them, then God will reward those deeds later on when you least expect him to—and he will reward them more generously than any other reward you could ever receive.
Discretion meaning in the Bible
Discretion means, “The quality or state of being discreet in speech or conduct”. It is also defined as “the ability to act with discretion, especially in a situation where you could be punished for doing so”. This definition comes from the Bible:
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
A man of low character gains favor by deceit.-
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Fools are fast to become enraged for no good cause, and they then allow their rage to boil over. It is already apparent in their speech and is rapidly discernible in their looks. By allowing their passions to run wild, they expose themselves as fools. Wise men regulate their emotions and their responses to every given situation.
Fools act without thinking, but intelligent people consider their actions beforehand. While intelligent persons control their fury, fools are controlled by it.
The proverb’s key lesson is presented here. A wise guy will take his time to consider his options before acting foolishly out of haste.
Examples of discretion in the Bible
The Bible is full of examples of discretion:
Exodus 20:24 KJV
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.-
Exodus 20:24 KJV
-The Israelites were ordered to build an altar in the wilderness, and they were told not to eat on it.
Leviticus 21:10 KJV
And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;-
Leviticus 21:10 KJV
-The priests were ordered to wear linen undergarments and not to shave their beards or cut their hair until after they had received their orders from God.
-Jesus tells his disciples that they are not to tell anyone about his resurrection until after he has risen again (John 20:30).
In the book of Proverbs, a man is advised to be discreet: “The prudent sees danger and hides, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
In the Book of Esther, an Israelite girl is told to be discreet: “Let your discretion be known to all men” (Esther 4:13).
In the book of 1 Timothy, a woman’s husband is encouraged to be discreet in the church: “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness” (1 Timothy 2:11).
Definition of discretion in the KJV Bible
The word discretion means “the quality of being wise, judicious, and prudent in choice and use.” When the KJV Bible uses discretion, it’s referring to a wise, judicious, and prudent choice or use of something. Discretion is a word used to describe the act of being careful and cautious when making decisions.
It can also be used to describe the ability to take care of yourself and your own needs, without harming others.
In the Bible, we see God instructing us on how to use discretion:
That’s what discretion is all about! Discretion is a key part of being a moral person. We can’t always do the right thing, but we can at least try. And if we are ever in doubt, we should consult someone who is more knowledgeable than us—like our parents or a trusted friend—and then do what they say.
When you think about it like that, discretion becomes so much more than just an idea. It becomes a decision-making tool, something that helps us make good decisions when those decisions are hard to make. It’s something that can help us become better people.
What does with discretion mean?
Discretion means that something is done or said with care and respect. This can refer to how we treat people, or how we handle ourselves. It can also mean that we do what is right in the situation.
1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.-
1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV
The Bible says that “with discretion” we should “not despise any person.” This means that we should treat people with respect and dignity, even if they are not acting right in front of us. We should also listen to others without being judgmental or controlling.
The phrase “with discretion” means that you should act in a way that is appropriate for the situation. It’s not always easy to do this, but it’s important to remember that you need to make choices based on what is best for everyone involved.
It’s impossible to completely avoid all risks—no matter how careful you are, there will always be some kind of risk associated with any action. But if you can act responsibly and safely in situations where there might be some risk, then you’re doing it with discretion.
