Through Common Sense

4.  God speaks to me through common sense

I have been known to marvel at the choices some people make.  What seems to be the most basic of principles slips through the grasp of some minds.  Once, a mother was explaining the disobedient and destructive behaviour of her child to me.  “We just want him to have fun.  We’ll teach him discipline later.”  Needless to say, I was flabbergasted!  How does it make sense to let a young child run wild and then expect to tame him after the behaviours are solidly ingrained?

While we were still in the throws of pregnancy (one after another after another) the comment was made to me, “If you overeat, you get fat: if you have sex, you get pregnant.”  Sound advice, very logical, practical common sense.  (Although I had figured out what was causing my condition 🙂

Proverbs 10:23
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

As we learn our lessons, sense (or understanding) grows.  I’ve always said that common sense is only common if you understand it.  I understand that speeding leads to car accidents.  I understand that allowing media into our home that is filthy and corrupt will lead to a numbness to or even acceptance of those values.

James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:8
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
 
Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

These verses in James confirm that the more we talk, the more trouble we can get in to.  The verse in Proverbs is an illustration of common sense.

“It takes less time to do something right than to do it twice.”
“If in doubt, leave it out.”

Common sense is the God given gift of discernment.  Discernment does require some practice and it also requires a willingness to say no to self.  Self indulgence very often leads to the consequences that are so damaging in our lives.  Giving into the temptations of pride, lust, immediate gratification and me, me, me are always going to distort our common sense.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 I understand that if I never spend time with God, there is no way I can get to know Him.  In knowing Him it is made clear to me the things that are good for me.

One of my favourite bits of ‘common sense’ is, “Garbage in, garbage out.” 

• The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lu 6:45)

• As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. (Pr 27:19)

• Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Pr 4:23)

  Life is about choices.  We are all going to make good choices and we are all going to make bad choices.  The key is why are you making the choices you are and do they reflect the ‘common sense’ that God has given you?