As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
— Proverbs 11:22

Today let’s take a quick look at a verse that we should daily put in remembrance. If you’ve spent much time on the internet, or if you’ve spent much time in social circles you will notice a trend that is increasing: Celebration of no self-control.

I often see many people celebrate the idea of having no self-control. Many times people today will claim they are “strong” because they “Tell it like it is.” Yet they are confused, and call lack of discretion and self control, the same thing as simple honesty. An honest person speaks the truth. Whereas someone who lacks self-control or discretion, speaks the first thing that comes to mind without any filters or controls on their mouths, actions, or thoughts. The former takes quite a bit of control to make sure what is said is Truthful and good. The latter simply does what comes naturally to them similar to animals who live by instinct alone.

Recently I was in discussion online with several people who found nothing wrong with telling lewd jokes, and being sexually harassing toward a complete stranger. They claimed that it was completely natural for people to be overly sexual and I was simply being a “prude.” However, there are many things that are natural, of which we would find quite disgusting. It is completely natural to use the bathroom yet would we find it perfectly fine to do to on a public street, or in the kitchen where we cook our food? Ultimately I discovered this group of people were children and I had to resign to explaining to them that I can only hope they will understand when they get older and mature a bit more.

But this is a trend that is spreading among adults as well. People will be rude without consideration and claim such things should be celebrated over having a filter of self-control. And people will celebrate it indeed…and aim to be the same way, thus increasing the problem. Often people will say they are a strong person because of it. However, in reality it takes more strength to actually NOT immediately do what comes “natural.” It takes more strength to have self-control, and when a thought comes to mind, determine whether it should or shouldn’t be acted upon. And then when tempted to say or do one thing that we have judged should not be said or done, to resist such temptation takes strength greater than just throwing it out.

Children may have no self-control. However, as we mature we are supposed to learn that self-control and discretion is quite important in life! If we have not learned that, it means we have not matured.

This is true both naturally speaking, and spiritually speaking. If we are still recklessly giving in to our natural fleshly ways we have yet to mature to be led by the Holy Spirit.

As it says in today’s verse above: You can be quite attractive on the outside, but if you have no discretion then in reality you are quite ugly and can be rightly seen as putting jewelry on a pig.

Let’s also consider Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

I hope you all have a very blessed day today! KOKO (Keep on Keeping On), and I pray that the Lord bless you mightily in all you do for Him.

In Christ,
Michael