Deliberation

Sirash said,

'a person's test is in his deliberation.'

To deliberate is to engage in long, and careful consideration.

It is maturity that usually brings out deliberation, but there are some who through upbringing, have grown to consider things before they act. For most of us, it is better said that we learn from our mistakes, so we will not make them again.

But that is being human. So what is different for a Christian? Deliberation begins for a Christian with the fear of God.

Sirash said,

'Fear of the Lord is the beginning of loving Him, but faith, faith is the beginning of clinging to him.'

If we love the Father, we consider what we do as having the potential to glorify Him. And having faith that what we do out of love for Him, is what is His righteousness acting through us. That perfection is what we rely on with confidence.

Jesus deliberated. We know this because he knew what was in the hearts of the Pharisees seeking to condemn him. So he considered what was upon their hearts, before he spoke. And because he was the voice of righteousness, what came through him, glorified the Father by His authority. Jesus was tested, and did not react as a human, but instead acted as a vessel of holiness. A vessel that supplied wisdom which honored the Father and supplied understanding for any who would listen.

When we are tested, there is an opportunity. If we have a fear of God, we put Him first. In putting the Father first, we then seek to apply holiness, instead of human reaction. And we can only supply that holiness by having the mind of Christ within us; the Holy Spirit.

Deliberation is also a form of self control. Self control is spiritual and holy. There is no sin that can come from using self control. So to deliberate in fear of God, is itself a way to honor the Father. Deliberation is in this context, a maturity.