Common sense, though not explicitly mentioned by name in the Bible, is a concept that aligns closely with biblical wisdom and discernment. It refers to sound judgment derived from experience and knowledge, enabling individuals to make prudent decisions in everyday life. The Bible, particularly in the wisdom literature, emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying practical wisdom in one's life.

Biblical Foundation

The book of Proverbs is replete with teachings that align with the principles of common sense. Proverbs 3:21-23 states, "My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble." Here, the emphasis is on maintaining sound judgment, which is akin to common sense, as a means of ensuring safety and stability in life.

Proverbs 8:5 further encourages, "O you simple, learn to be shrewd, and you foolish, gain understanding." This verse calls for the acquisition of practical wisdom and understanding, which are essential components of common sense. The Bible consistently encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, which are foundational to making sound decisions.

Practical Application

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul provides guidance that reflects the application of common sense in the life of a believer. In Ephesians 5:15-17 , Paul advises, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." This passage underscores the importance of living wisely and making the most of every opportunity, which requires the exercise of common sense.

James 1:5 offers a promise for those seeking wisdom: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse highlights the divine source of wisdom, encouraging believers to seek God's guidance in developing sound judgment and common sense.

Common Sense and Faith

While common sense is rooted in practical experience, it is not opposed to faith. Rather, it complements faith by enabling believers to navigate the complexities of life with prudence and discernment. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Common sense aids in the practical application of faith, helping believers to act wisely in situations where the path may not be immediately clear.

The balance between faith and common sense is illustrated in the life of Nehemiah. When rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah demonstrated both faith in God's provision and practical wisdom in organizing the work and addressing opposition (Nehemiah 4:9: "So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night to protect ourselves."). This example shows that common sense and faith can work hand in hand to achieve God's purposes.

Conclusion

In summary, while the term "common sense" is not directly found in the Bible, its principles are deeply embedded in the scriptural teachings on wisdom and discernment. Believers are encouraged to cultivate sound judgment through the study of God's Word, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their decisions reflect both practical wisdom and faith.1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
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1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
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1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
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James 1:22-25
But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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2532. kai -- and, even, also
... namely. 2532 (the most common NT conjunction, used over 9,000 times) -- ()
very often, , , (the determines the exact sense). [After ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2532.htm - 7k

27. agapetos -- beloved
... Jude 3: " (27 ), while I was making every effort to write you about our common
salvation, I had [a sense of] necessity to write to you, exhorting [you] to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/27.htm - 8k

1515. eirene -- one, peace, quietness, rest.
... peace of mind Definition: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish
farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1515.htm - 7k

1347. dikaiosis -- the act of pronouncing righteous, acquittal
... 3.82.4) uses 1347 () as ", in our sense of the word" (C. Spicq, 1:345). 1347 ()
is only used once in the (Lev 24:22). 1345 () however is common in the .]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1347.htm - 8k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... Only the context however determines which sense(s) is meant. ... "" ("spirit") is
by far the most common translation (application) of 4151 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

1121. ben -- son
... a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal ... breed, +
(young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

For Common Sense as Well as the Teaching of Scripture Shows that ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXXVI. For common sense as well as the
teaching of Scripture shows that it is impossible? For ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxxvi for common sense.htm

For we -- But, Perhaps, You Would Rob and Deprive us of Common ...
... Book IV. 2 For we " but, perhaps, you would rob and deprive us of
common-sense " feel? For we"but, perhaps, you would rob ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/2 for we but.htm

A Little Sermon to School-Girls.
... The same endowment of common sense ought to teach young people to do those things
which will promote their health, and not to do those things which would ...
/.../a little sermon to school-girls.htm

Perpetuity
... 604. The only science contrary to common sense and human nature is that
alone which has always existed among men. 605. The only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ix perpetuity.htm

The Bible --The Background and the Picture.
... Our common sense is such that we are always led astray by improper action, unless
our superior wisdom enables us to know that the action is improper. ...
/.../the biblethe background and the.htm

Preface
... And every child can see the wisdom of it. To the child it is common sense: to
his elders it is inspired heroism or unintelligible hardihood. ...
/.../kane/greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /preface.htm

The Study of Words
... "The greatest fault a speech can have," says he, "is when it departs from the common
way of discourse and the custom of common sense." But Cicero would pass ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

Upon Compassion.
... Therefore morality and religion must be somewhat plan and easy to be understood:
it must appeal to what we call plain common sense, as distinguished from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon v upon compassion.htm

Footnites
... my desire to convince, if I should seem to deny that the mistaken practice of these
hymn-book compilers was based on the solid ground of secular common-sense. ...
/.../bridges/a practical discourse on some principles of hymn-singing/footnites.htm

The Poetical Books.
... It embodies what we are in the habit of calling "good common sense." There is an
occasional maxim whose application to our own time may be doubted, and now and ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

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