Having good practical judgment is knowing the right thing to do at the right time and for the right reason so that one's actions are completely effective and so that one has no regrets about the consequences. Jesus always knew the right thing to do at the right time and was completely effective in his actions even when it came to dying on a cross. This means that though there is complexity and chaos with all its variables in the world, it is still possible to get it right and do the right thing.
Life is incredibly complex and when we act we don't always know all the consequences of our actions because those consequences are dependent upon what other people and what nature is doing (including animals and bacteria!). There are so many variables to take into consideration when making a decision, it is almost amazing that we ever do get it right, and that is why it is a true statement to say "to err is human." It is far easier to err, than to get it right.
Still, scripture attests to the reality of getting it right. Wisdom literature in the Old Testament speaks of prudence (getting it right) and how that is the consequence of wisdom (fear of the Lord)(Proverbs 8:5,12). Ephesians connects wisdom and prudence as well (Ephesians 1:8). It is like being attuned to a radio frequency and having that guide you. The Old Testament speaks about meeting wisdom in the beginning of the day at the gate of one's house and right action following upon that for the whole day (Wisdom 6:14-15). When we pray in the start of the day we put ourselves in the right state of mind and don't make mistakes the rest of the day. Jesus was often looking for time apart to spend time in prayer with God. His time apart helped him then make good decisions when he wasn't in prayer. He put himself in the correct connection with God and then correct action flowed from that.
We all need practical judgment, but Jesus really did because he had many enemies. Let us reflect on his sermon at his hometown, Nazareth. He proclaimed his prophetic mission and led them to believe he was being called to the Gentiles just like Elisha and Elijah before him. His neighbors were so angry at this assertion that they drove him to an overhang to throw him down. This could have resulted in the finish of Jesus' mission, but for the fact that he knew the right thing to do at the right time. He permitted them to drag him to the edge of the overhang and he did not fight them. He wasn't worried. He didn't try to reason with them. He just went with them. Then at the last moment he just walked through them and left (Luke 16-30).
It is wise to permit people to express their anger and this is a significant insight into human action. A person who is in customer service knows they need to listen to an angry customer even when the problem could be solved quickly and when the customer is going on and on. The customer has become frustrated about something having gone wrong and he has to get it out. A good customer service person will listen carefully and respond with concern, because this deescalates the anger. The customer is then quieted and the problem can be resolved. Jesus understood this law of human nature and he allowed the people of Nazareth to expend their fury. In this way, he was able to preserve his life.
However, how does one come to have this kind of patience and insight so that one doesn't overreact in such a circumstance like the one Jesus was in? One comes to this observation about human nature after devoted time in reflection and prayer. Prayer should not be just intercessory prayer. Prayer is time for listening to God so he can open you to a deeper reality. We should listen and follow in prayer. God guides our thoughts and leads us to a further wisdom in our plans and for this reason when we carry out our decisions we discover the right thing to do at the right time and our actions are as effective as God intends them to be.
Life is incredibly complex and when we act we don't always know all the consequences of our actions because those consequences are dependent upon what other people and what nature is doing (including animals and bacteria!). There are so many variables to take into consideration when making a decision, it is almost amazing that we ever do get it right, and that is why it is a true statement to say "to err is human." It is far easier to err, than to get it right.
Still, scripture attests to the reality of getting it right. Wisdom literature in the Old Testament speaks of prudence (getting it right) and how that is the consequence of wisdom (fear of the Lord)(Proverbs 8:5,12). Ephesians connects wisdom and prudence as well (Ephesians 1:8). It is like being attuned to a radio frequency and having that guide you. The Old Testament speaks about meeting wisdom in the beginning of the day at the gate of one's house and right action following upon that for the whole day (Wisdom 6:14-15). When we pray in the start of the day we put ourselves in the right state of mind and don't make mistakes the rest of the day. Jesus was often looking for time apart to spend time in prayer with God. His time apart helped him then make good decisions when he wasn't in prayer. He put himself in the correct connection with God and then correct action flowed from that.
We all need practical judgment, but Jesus really did because he had many enemies. Let us reflect on his sermon at his hometown, Nazareth. He proclaimed his prophetic mission and led them to believe he was being called to the Gentiles just like Elisha and Elijah before him. His neighbors were so angry at this assertion that they drove him to an overhang to throw him down. This could have resulted in the finish of Jesus' mission, but for the fact that he knew the right thing to do at the right time. He permitted them to drag him to the edge of the overhang and he did not fight them. He wasn't worried. He didn't try to reason with them. He just went with them. Then at the last moment he just walked through them and left (Luke 16-30).
It is wise to permit people to express their anger and this is a significant insight into human action. A person who is in customer service knows they need to listen to an angry customer even when the problem could be solved quickly and when the customer is going on and on. The customer has become frustrated about something having gone wrong and he has to get it out. A good customer service person will listen carefully and respond with concern, because this deescalates the anger. The customer is then quieted and the problem can be resolved. Jesus understood this law of human nature and he allowed the people of Nazareth to expend their fury. In this way, he was able to preserve his life.
However, how does one come to have this kind of patience and insight so that one doesn't overreact in such a circumstance like the one Jesus was in? One comes to this observation about human nature after devoted time in reflection and prayer. Prayer should not be just intercessory prayer. Prayer is time for listening to God so he can open you to a deeper reality. We should listen and follow in prayer. God guides our thoughts and leads us to a further wisdom in our plans and for this reason when we carry out our decisions we discover the right thing to do at the right time and our actions are as effective as God intends them to be.
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Want to find out more about the key to life, then visit Holly L Wilson's site on how to develop prudence and wisdom.