Homemaking Mondays: To be Discreet

Hello!  Welcome to Homemaking Monday! 

Today I'd like to elaborate on what it means to be discreet. 

To be discreet, is to be careful, cautious, prudent, judicious, condiderate, guarded, tactful, wary, watchful, discerning.  Any of these words resonate with you? 

I looked up discreet in the Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

Prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash

Vines says this about the word discreet:

Of sound mind, self controlled. 

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

So a sound mind comes from the Lord!  

It is to the Lord we must go to gain this quality, it's not something that just happens.  It is learned yes, but also is given of the Lord.  We need to pray like Solomon, God give us an understanding heart.

1 Kings 3:7-10

"And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing."

As I've studied this quality, I've come across some verses that I'd like to share with you. 

Genesis 41: 33& 39

"Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt."

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:"

Mark 12:34

"And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."

Here it's showing how important God views this quality.  Not only God, but others in authority, and down to the common man, this is a quality that is very valued. 

Proverbs 22:17-21

"Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?"

So how does this look in our daily lives as homemakers?  

First of all, we need to realize that not all thoughts that come into our heads need to come out our mouths.  That there are times that are best to say something and times when we need to be silent. 

With this quality, it not only gives respect to others, but also shows wisdom in self control.  How many times have you opened up your mouth too quickly and had to eat your words?  I know for me I've done this many times.  By God's grace I'm learning to be more discreet, to consider things and to consider my words carefuly before I speak. I'm sure you've all heard the phrase: "use some tact".  It's knowing when to say something, and how to say it.  It's discernement.

With being discreet, we are aware of not only what is around us, but also what is behind things.  It leads us to ask questions, to weigh things in our minds, to be discerning.  We need to make judgement calls.  The world would cry out "thou shalt not judge", (and we all judge things) not realizing that we are to make righteous judgements, not unrighteous judgements.  This happens in all aspects of our lives. 

In our homes, it is measured out in how we spend the income our husbands provide for us.  How we train and nurture our children. How we spend our time in caring for our homes and families. How we care for others outside of our homes.  As we are discreet about things, it leads to peacefulness as we consider other's needs. 

How are we to make righteous judgements? How are we to be discreet? 

We need a standard, and that standard is the word of God!  

Don't hesitate to look things up!  The more time we spend in reading our Bibles, the more we will have the mind of Christ Jesus.  We need to hide God's word in our hearts.

The purpose of being discreet is to avoid error and evil.  The Bible is clear on what is error and what is evil.  As the Lord teaches you through time with Him, the more evident it will become to you.  It will be as you are looking out into the world with brand new eyes, and ears.

This quality is not only beneficial to ourselves, but to our families.  To our children who are constantly watching us and looking to us to do what is right.  We are living ensamples. It is important to exercise this quality to keep our children safe, and to lead them to righteousness.

Just some things to think about...a quality that is a high priority for us homemakers to gain.  

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer