Wouldn’t Be Prudent

Back in the administration of George Bush ‘41’, comedian Dana Carvey developed a killer imitation of the president, which was often punctuated by odd hand gestures and the response to almost any question with, ‘wouldn’t be prudent’. The idea was that inaction on important issues is acceptable just by saying, ‘it wouldn’t be prudent’.

Prudence is actually a biblical value that, rightly exercised, is an outworking of a life of wisdom, as you see here,

Proverbs 8:12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.

Prudence is how wisdom turns into action when action is required. It is the opposite of impulsiveness and reaction. A prudent person exercises biblically appropriate responses to whatever situations that come his way.

However, sometimes we can justify inaction when action is called for by pulling the ‘wouldn’t be prudent’ excuse out – particularly when a truly prudent course of action might be uncomfortable, or affect others’ view of us. Nineteenth Century pastor Charles Bridges gives an insightful warning against justifying disobedience or inaction by appealing to prudence.

“Christian Prudence indeed is most valuable in it’s own place, connection, and measure; and the want of it brings great inconvenience. But except it be the exercise of faith, combined with boldness, and encircled with a warm atmosphere of Christian love, it will degenerate, and become the time serving spirit of the world. The “fear of man” often assumes the name of prudence, while a worldly spirit of unbelief is the dominant, though disguised principle.” (Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, p. 125)

True wisdom is bold to act when action is the best course. Wise people must at times be courageous people – people of faith. To be anything less ‘wouldn’t be prudent’.