Common Sense

The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. Proverbs 10:21

Question: "What does the Bible say about common sense?"

Answer: Common sense is sound judgment in practical matters. In Proverbs 8:5 some translations speak of the need to develop “common sense,” which other translations simply call “prudence” or “discretion.” Biblically, common sense can be thought of as a combination of wisdom and discretion (Proverbs 3:21; 8:12–14). Wisdom is knowing what to do; discretion is knowing when and where to do it.

Part of being a fool is having no common sense or being “void of understanding,” as the KJV puts it (Proverbs 7:7; 24:30). The book of Proverbs proclaims the benefits of gaining wisdom and also shows the folly of being a fool (Proverbs 13:16; 16:22; 26:11). Proverbs 3:13–14 says, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” 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 decisions based on wisdom alone, we are exercising common sense.

The desire for instant gratification is the enemy of common sense. Many people have become ensnared in trouble and heartache because they rejected a wise path and sought instead immediate satisfaction. Common sense is often developed by learning from the consequences of such poor choices—the school of hard knocks educates many. Everyone makes bad decisions at some point. The difference between the wise and the foolish is that one learns from his mistakes and the other keeps repeating them. Some people seem born with a more level head, while others learn from experience. Either way, wisdom and common sense should be continually pursued in order to experience the best God has for us (Proverbs 2:1–8).

Proverbs 2:7-11 

7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

8 He guards the paths of the just

and protects those who are faithful to him.

9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

11 Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

Proverbs 13:16-25 MSG

16 A commonsense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.
17 Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.
18 Refuse discipline and end up homeless; embrace correction and live an honored life.
19 Souls who follow their hearts thrive; fools bent on evil despise matters of soul.
20 Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.
21 Disaster entraps sinners, but God-loyal people get a good life.
22 A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren; ill-gotten wealth ends up with good people.
23 Banks foreclose on the farms of the poor, or else the poor lose their shirts to crooked lawyers.
24 A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.
25 An appetite for good brings much satisfaction, but the belly of the wicked always wants more.

As long as Uzziah sought the LORD, God gave him success. ... But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.

2 Chronicles 26:5b,16a

versions of Proverbs 16:3

New International Version
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

New Living Translation
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

English Standard Version
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

New American Standard Bible
Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

King James Bible
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Christian Standard Bible
Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Contemporary English Version
Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.

Good News Translation
Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved.

International Standard Version
Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed.

NET Bible
Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

New Heart English Bible
Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Show your works to Lord Jehovah and he will establish your thoughts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

Psalm 103

A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;

with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins

and heals all my diseases.

4 He redeems me from death

and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

5 He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

6 The Lord gives righteousness

and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

7 He revealed his character to Moses

and his deeds to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 He will not constantly accuse us,

nor remain angry forever.

10 He does not punish us for all our sins;

he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us

as the east is from the west.

13 The Lord is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are;

he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass;

like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone—

as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the Lord remains forever

with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children

18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,

of those who obey his commandments!

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;

from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels,

you mighty ones who carry out his plans,

listening for each of his commands.

21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels

who serve him and do his will!

22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,

everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Psalm 116

1I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

2Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

3The cords of death entangled me,

the anguish of the grave came over me;

I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

4Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“Lord, save me!”

5The Lord is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

6The Lord protects the unwary;

when I was brought low, he saved me.

7Return to your rest, my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you.

8For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling,

9that I may walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

10I trusted in the Lord when I said,

“I am greatly afflicted”;

11in my alarm I said,

“Everyone is a liar.”

12What shall I return to the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

13I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord.

14I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of his faithful servants.

16Truly I am your servant, Lord;

I serve you just as my mother did;

you have freed me from my chains.

17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you

and call on the name of the Lord.

18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people,

19in the courts of the house of the Lord—

in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.a

I Surrender - Hillsong Live

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love.

He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.

You will give truth to Jacob
And unchanging love to Abraham,
Which You swore to our forefathers
From the days of old.

So Will I - Amanda Cook | Bethel Worship

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.

2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,

for I am calling on you constantly.

4 Give me happiness, O Lord,

for I give myself to you.

5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,

so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

6 Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;

hear my urgent cry.

7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,

and you will answer me.

8 No pagan god is like you, O Lord.

None can do what you do!

9 All the nations you made

will come and bow before you, Lord;

they will praise your holy name.

10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.

You alone are God.

11 Teach me your ways, O Lord,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so that I may honor you.

12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever,

13 for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death.

14 O God, insolent people rise up against me;

a violent gang is trying to kill me.

You mean nothing to them.

15 But you, O Lord,

are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

16 Look down and have mercy on me.

Give your strength to your servant;

save me, the son of your servant.

17 Send me a sign of your favor.

Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.