A Sober Mind is Cautious

You must be cautious, and prudent, and not wilful and heady. The word in the text is the same that is rendered in verse 5, to be discreet. You must not only think rationally, but when you have done so, you must act wisely, and so as will be most for your true interest; walk circumspectly, look before you, look about you, look under your feet, and pick your way, not as fools, but as wise.

David’s purpose when he set out in the world, was, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way,” and his prayer was, “Lord, when wilt Thou come unto me?” (Psalm 101:2). And accordingly we find (1 Sam. 18:14) his purpose performed, and his prayer answered, “He behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” Those that govern themselves, God will guide, but will justly leave those that love to wander, to wander endlessly.

Put away childish follies with other childish things, and do not all your days think and speak as children. Espouse principles of wisdom; fix to yourselves rules of wisdom, and be ruled by those rules, and act by those principles. It is the wisdom of the prudent to understand his own way, his own business, not to censure other people’s; and this wisdom will in all cases be profitable to direct what measures, what steps, to take.

Youth is apt to be bold and venturous, and therefore resolute and peremptory, to its great prejudice. But be not you so; let reason and conscience, according to the duty of their place, give check to the violence of appetite and passion; let them rectify the mistakes, and over-rule the hasty dictates of humor and fancy, and reduce the arbitrary and exorbitant power of those tyrants.

How often does Solomon press it upon the young man he takes under his tuition! “My son, be wise; wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, get understanding.” You who are launching out into the world must take wisdom to be your pilot, or you are in danger of splitting upon some rock or other; this must be your pillar of cloud and fire, the conduct of which you must follow through the wilderness.

Be diffident of your own judgments and jealous of yourselves, so that you do not take things right, nor take them entirely, and for that reason be afraid lest the resolutions which are the result of your considerations should prove wrong, and therefore leave room for second thoughts. Say not, “I will do so and so — I am resolved I will, whatever may be said to the contrary. I will walk in the way of my heart, and in the sight of my eyes, whatever it cost me.” Never have any will but what is guided by wisdom.

Therefore in every case of moment and difficulty, be willing to be advised by your friends and depend more upon their judgment, who have had longer experience of the world, than upon your own. Consult with those who are wise and good; ask them what they would do if they were in your case, and you will find that “in the multitude of counsellors there is safety”; and that often times proves best which was the least of your own doing; or if it should not prove well, it will be a satisfaction to you that you did not do it without advice and mature deliberation, and that as the thing appeared then, you did it for the best.

What brighter character can be given of a young man, than to say, he is wise; or what blacker, than to say, he is wilful? See the former in Solomon, who calls himself a child, “I know not how to go out, or to come in” (1 Kings 3:7); and yet his father calls him a wise man who knows what he is to do. See the latter in the character of the rebellious son who was to be stoned to death, against whom the indictment runs thus, “He is stubborn, he will not obey the voice of his father and mother” (Deut. 21:18,20). Those are the fools for whom there is little hope, who despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 1:7). He that will not be counselled, cannot be helped.

But would you be wise — not only to be thought so, but really be so? Study the Scriptures; by them you will get more understanding than the ancients, than all your teachers (Ps. 119:99,100). Make your observations upon the carriage and miscarriage of others, that you may follow a pattern of those who do well, and take warning by those who do ill, may look upon both and receive instruction. But especially be earnest with God in prayer for wisdom, as Solomon was; and the prayer was both pleasing and prevailing in heaven. “If any man,” if any young man “lack wisdom,” and is sensible that he lacks it, he is directed what to do, his way is plain, “let him ask of God”; and, he is encouraged to do it; “for the Lord giveth wisdom.” He has it to give (Prov. 2:6). He delights to give it; he gives liberally; he has a particular eye to young people in the dispensing of this gift, for his Word was written “to give to the young man knowledge and discretion”.

And because some are willing to be counselled, but do not care to be rebuked, we are told that he gives and upbraids not; yet as if this were not encouragement enough to beggars at Wisdom’s gates, there is an express promise to every one that seeks aright, that he shall not seek in vain; it is not a promise with a perhaps, but with the greatest assurance,” it shall be given him” (James 1:5). To all true believers, Christ Himself is, and shall be made of God, Wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30).

Rev. Matthew Henry (1662–1714) pastored a Presbyterian congregation at Chester, England, for twenty-five years. He is best known and loved for his Bible commentary (1708–10). This series of articles is taken from his The Young Christian.

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