Thursday, September 23, 2021

Common Sense...

 



Common sense is sound practical judgment concerning everyday matters, or a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge that is shared by ("common to") nearly all people. The first type of common sense, good sense, can be described as "the knack for seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.


The above definition caused me to wonder what God says about having common sense. 

Biblically, common sense can be thought of as a combination of wisdom and discretion.  Wisdom is knowing what to do; discretion is knowing when and where to do it. Proverbs 3:21; 8:12-14

So, without common sense then one will act like a fool.  One must think first like a fool to act like a fool.  The KJV puts it as being void of understanding.  (Proverbs 7:7; 8:24-30)

Proverbs 3:13-14 says it best.  Wisdom allows us to see life the way God does. When we seek God's perspective, we can make decisions based upon their eternal significance rather than selfish interest. When we choose to make decision based on wisdom alone, we are exercising  common sense. 

The desire for instant gratification is the enemy of common sense. We all make bad decisions sometimes.  We go on our feelings instead of wisdom.  We made decisions when upset instead of allowing our feelings to calm down.  

Common sense is often developed by learning from the consequences of such poor choice, the school of hard knocks teach the best.  Some never learn from their mistakes which makes them continue to make foolish decisions.  Wisdom helps us learn from our mistakes so we won't make them again.  

Wisdom and common sense should be continually pursued in order to experience the best God has for us (Proverbs 2:1–8

 A little common sense test...how would you answer the question below??

11 comments:

  1. I'd light the candle first in order to ignite the other two from its flame. Am I right, Betty? Yes, common sense is sorely lacking in today's society. Let us seek wisdom and discretion from God.
    Blessings!

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    1. Right or not that is what I picked to do first also. The candle will be lit for a long time and it can light the wood stove and gas lamp. I think we are right though. Common sense is why I cannot watch the news without getting upset. Yes, it's a little scary at how many of our leaders lack common sense, wisdom but what should we expect when they are not living for the Lord. When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, we get chaos. Knowledge is gained usually through making mistakes and trusting others who have been there, done that. We watch the younger missionaries come to the field full of zeal and lots of book knowledge but little experience. They do so much better if they add some experienced wisdom to their zeal and book knowledge. We who have had experience and wisdom need to seek patience, patience, patience when working with younger ones. They will learn if we sometimes step back after one try to help and let them fail some. Thankful someone gave me room to fail and learn wisdom.

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  2. Common sense requires that one have the latter word. :)

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  3. I'm going with lighting the candle. As for common sense, my late husband often said, "Common sense isn't." (it's no common)

    I hope I passed the test. My reasoning is the same as Martha Jane Orlando.

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  4. You passed...and your husband is right...he has common sense just like his wife. Blessings

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  5. The candle because then I could get the other two lit and use the stove to heat water for a cup of tea!🙂❤

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    1. You have common sense...praise the Lord. Blessings

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  6. Thank you for your comment. Blessings

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