“Who is wise?
Let him understand these things,
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the LORD are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.”  Hosea 14:9

With the media, we are continually bombarded with information of all kinds and especially at this time of an election.  Much of it we can do without because it is so often skewed to the bias of the one giving it; or it is truth as seen by the one giving it; or it is out and out false information.  As our Scripture says we need to be wise and understand; we need to be prudent and know.  Our Lord is the Person of Truth so to be wise and prudent is to Know Him!  And we have the Holy Spirit who will ‘lead us into all truth’!  He will reveal Christ to us.  So let us shut out the din of the world and look to the Lord and the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Webster’s Dictionary defines:
Understand: perceive the meaning of, comprehend; apprehend clearly.
Prudent: wise in practical affairs, discreet, sober, circumspect, sagacious.
Circumspect: watchful, discreet, cautious, careful, guarded.
Sagacious: having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense.

Here are some Scripture verses regarding understanding and prudence.
Concerning understanding:
*The Psalmist says that understanding comes from God’s words,
“Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.”  Psalm 119:104

*From the writer of Proverbs we see:
“For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

*Wisdom speaking here:
“I wisdom, dwell with prudence and I find knowledge and discretion.
“I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.” 
Proverbs 8:12 and 14
*“Good understanding produces favor,
 But the way of the treacherous is hard.”  Proverbs 13:15

*“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding….”  Proverbs 14:29

*“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
  And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”  Proverbs 17:27

*The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy (same is true for believers today.)
 “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”  2 Timothy 2:7

Now concerning prudence:
The writer of Proverbs also gives us insight as to the prudent man:
*He is reserve:
 “Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
 But a fool flaunts his folly.”  Proverbs 13:16

*He is cautious:
 “The naïve believes everything;
 But the prudent man considers his steps.”  Proverbs 14:15

*He is teachable:
 “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
 And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”  Proverbs 18:15

*He has foresight:
 “The prudent man see danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and 
 suffer for it.  Proverbs 22:3

‘For the ways of the Lord are right and the righteous walk in them.’
True discernment comes to a seeking heart so let us pray as did the Psalmist,
“Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
 For I believe in Thy Commandments.”  Psalm 119:6

So be it! Amen!