How Can The Lord Help You Show Greater Foresight?

What can I do to show greater foresight, care, and circumspection toward people?

1. Think carefully of the effects of your communications before you speak. David wrote, "I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." (Psa. 39:1)

2. Ask the Lord for supernatural wisdom and learn from wise people. Solomon wrote, "I wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." (Prov. 8: 12)

3. Keep matters confidential without betraying people’s trust. Solomon wrote, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." (Prov. 11:13) A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. (Prov. 12:23) A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Prov. 12: 16) Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (Prov. 13:16) The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (Prov. 14:8)

4. Do not accept everything at face value; consider the credibility of the source of all information. Solomon wrote, "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

5. Get knowledge, wisdom, and insight on every matter of relevance to your goals. Solomon wrote, "The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." (Prov. 14:18) A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. (Prov. 15:5) The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. (Prov. 16:21)

6. Do not be too quick to enter into agreements with people who are not wise. Solomon wrote, "A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. (Prov. 17:18) It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Consistently be on the look out for errors to avoid in speech, conduct and purity of lifestyle. Solomon wrote, "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." (Prov. 22:3)

7. Get godly advice from wise counselors. Solomon wrote, "For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers." (Prov. 24:6)

8. Try not to rush to judgment, confrontation and debate with others. Solomon wrote, "Do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?" (Prov. 25 :8) Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. (Prov. 29:8) Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise - why destroy yourself? (Eccl. 7: 16)

9. Show great respect for people who are in authority. Solomon wrote, "Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up and leave for a bad reason, for the king will do whatever he pleases. Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

10. Do not reveal deep insights to the unresponsive. Jesus said, "Do not give dogs what is sacred: do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." (Matt. 7:6)

11. Plan all aspects of your strategies well considering every aspect in terms of the cost and probably returns on your investment. Jesus said, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?" (Lk. 14:28)

12. Learn from experience which decisions will allow you to make the greatest contribution to the cause of Christ for eternity. Paul wrote, "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." (I Cor. 6: 12)

13. Ask the Lord for the wisdom, grace and ability to act discretely toward new contacts to make the most of every connection. Paul wrote, "Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." (Col. 4:5)

14. Ask the Lord to give you great patience in listening, analyzing and evaluating situations before you offer your opinions. James wrote, "My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James 1: 19)

15. Act and think objectively rather than allowing your subjective emotions to cloud your thinking.