“Common sense is not so common.” I chuckle to myself every time I hear this wise old saying. There is so much truth in those words. Common sense is the good sound judgment that is presumed most people will possess. Each of us come to the table with our own uniqueness, and our brains might process and catalog information differently, but there are some things that one would hope is common to most human beings. This commonality when it comes to practical matters allows us to communicate and understand each other. It can at times be the framework to begin new relationships. The truth is that some of us just plain ol’ don’t have common sense in certain areas, and sometimes we need some extra help.
Proverbs 9:8-9 (NLT) is one of those mega verses that will help us to have success in any area of our lives. It says, “8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.” God tells us very plainly not to worry about the haters. They’re out there. They don’t want to see us shine, will try and squash our success, and they hate what we stand for. Jesus Christ told us in John 15:18-19(NLT), “18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” So, it should come as no surprise when folks that don’t even know our hearts will automatically dislike or hate us, and will do so for no other reason than we represent Christ.
Heavenly Father also draws a distinction and contrast in Proverbs 9:8-9 that we can’t afford to ignore. He tells us that wise folks have a certain characteristic in common. If you correct them, they will love you. Wise people have an innate desire to become wiser. They understand that iron sharpens iron, and will not reject wisdom, but know that it is to their full advantage to accept it.
I’m reminded of someone that hasn’t spoken to her mother in over three years. She’s planning a fall wedding and having difficulty with the thought of not having her mother be a part of it. I asked, “Why not just pick up the phone and call her?” She said that she just couldn’t, because her mother still hasn’t apologized for choosing her sister’s side of an argument. If she can hold a grudge for this long against the woman that birthed her, imagine what she will do with her future husband.
The wisdom of common sense is essential, but we so often miss it. This woman’s future husband, who is fully aware of the issue, hasn’t yet seen his fiancée’s resentment against her mother for the red flag it clearly is. Holding on to a grudge will block the flow of God’s love. It will destroy the goodness that love in our relationships can bring as well.
My grandmother use to say, “you can’t teach a fool nothing.” I thought it was a harsh statement, but as I’ve grown, I understand that being foolish is often preventable and avoidable. We yield to foolish whims sometimes because we will not humble ourselves to the wisdom of God’s Word. Many of us want instant love as quickly as we can have it. We want quick food, we want to get to our destinations quick, and we want resolutions on the double. When this is our attitude, we’re vulnerable to foolish decisions that look smart.
The truth is that many of us are watering down our faith because we’d rather have milk than meat. We’d rather leap than take the time to really examine what’s under the hood. If you’re looking to partner well, you must avoid this stance at all cost. Proverbs 14:12(NLT) warns, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Children of God should always want to do things God’s way. We think we have it all figured out, but God sees the entire scope of our lives, and His Word will never lead us astray. We truly need to build a relationship with Heavenly Father that is anchored in humility and trust. When it is, common sense will lead us to lean on Him and wait on His instruction, because His wisdom will always help us avoid making foolish decisions.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Foolish Decisions that Look Smart”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.