Wise Discrimination

Read Proverbs 24

Don’t envy evil people or desire their company.

Proverbs 24:1

Sometimes evil does seem to triumph over good. Sometimes bad people win. Sometimes good guys finish last. Sometimes the wicked prosper while the good wonder. The implication of this proverb is that evil people may indeed have what we desire.

Unfortunately, the word discrimination has been twisted to carry primarily negative connotations. But discrimination has to do with our capacity to judge or weigh people and situations before entrusting ourselves to them. We may discriminate for the wrong reasons, but that doesn’t invalidate the importance of that ability. We don’t want our children to discriminate against people because of skin color, but we certainly want their capacity to discriminate in full force when a drug pusher or a peddler of immorality approaches them. Wise discrimination sizes up people for the right reasons. Wise discrimination allows us to spot people of character and make a point to associate with them. And wise discrimination warns us when to be cautious of certain people and avoid their company.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Good bait often hides an evil hook.

Dear Lord, I know how easy it is to envy those I shouldn’t. Help me to wisely discriminate where I rest my emotions and desires.