We live surrounded by warnings. By the way, just pay attention to realise this.

You take a pack of cigarettes and read: “Smoking causes cancer”. Get in the car and see the sign: “Maximum speed 80 miles/h”. Or open the package insert of a medicine packet and find: “It can cause dependence”. The doctor guides and warns about habits that harm your health.

However, there is a warning that always gives me the chills in my stomach. Every time I get into a lift, I see the sign: “Before entering, make sure it is stopped on this floor.” If that doesn’t make you think, you should.

Because a warning is a serious thing. And, as the saying goes, he who warns is a friend indeed.

What does a prudent person do?

In the book of Proverbs 22:3, we read:

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.”

Later, in Proverbs 27:12, the same truth is repeated with other words. This is not a coincidence. When God repeats something, it’s because we need to pay attention.

The main characteristic of a prudent person is prevention. They don’t have a crystal ball. They have intelligence. God gave us the ability to reason. If I know that 1 + 1 equals 2, I don’t need to test to confirm. Similarly, certain actions produce predictable consequences.

The prudent think before. They evaluate: “If I do this today, what will it generate tomorrow?”

Prudence inside the house

I’ll give you a practical example.

Imagine that you live with someone with a short temper. You already know which actions or words press the “buttons” of this person. If you are prudent, avoid provoking them. You choose bland words. After all, as Proverbs also teaches, the soft answer diverts wrath.

This does not mean agreeing with the other’s mistake. It means to act wisely. If you need to live with this person, then prevent evil. Don’t throw fuel on the fire.

The simple, however, ignores the warning – and then pays the price.

The danger of putting off the consequences for later

Unfortunately, there is a dangerous trend within us: solve the problem of now and push the consequences to the future.

“I know it’s not the best, but then I’ll solve it.”

This thought appears in personal life, in relationships and even in politics. How many decisions are made knowing that the bill will come later? The problem is that someone always pays.

The Bible shows this clearly in the story of King Hezekiah. (2 Kings 20:16-19 and Isaiah 39:5-8). When he received the word that evil would come upon the kingdom, but not in his days, but in the time of his son Manasseh, he was at peace. He thought, in other words: “At least it won’t be with me.”

This attitude is not prudent. It’s irresponsible. And provokes God.

The Bible: the biggest warning

I ask you: what is the Bible if not the greatest warning ever given to humanity?

There is even a book called Revelation. Trumpets, warnings, judgment. Clear warnings.

However, many act like the person who sees the “Fresh paint” sign and puts their finger to test. If there was no warning, maybe I wouldn’t even touch it. But because it’s written, they want to “pay to see”.

That’s exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden. God warned. The serpent relativised the warning. And the human being preferred to test.

To this day, many do the same.

Be prudent

Prudence is not living in fear. In fact, prudence is living with wisdom.

You don’t need to throw yourself from the tenth floor to find out that the fall kills. Likewise, you don’t need to suffer an accident to learn that recklessness in traffic destroys lives. In addition, you don’t need to repeat mistakes that others have already proven don’t work.

Therefore, learn from the warnings, from the Word and from the mistakes of others.

After all, the prudent foresees evil and hides, while the simple passes and suffers the consequences.

Therefore, choose to be prudent. Choose to be wise. You will avoid unnecessary pain, losses and deep regrets.