Is common sense a biblical term related to the Bible?

Ask CSM:
Is common sense a biblical term related to the Bible? -Ludora

Dear Ludora,

Is common sense a biblical term related to the Bible? Your question strikes at the very core of our ministry’s mission: “To teach the simplicity of the Bible.”  We truly believe that if you’ll just read the book, God’s Holy Word, you’ll find it full of commonsense, practical advice, and you don’t have to be a theologian to understand it.

Let’s start by understanding what common sense really means. It’s the ability to think and behave in a sensible way and to make good practical decisions.

Common sense doesn’t come from specialized knowledge or training. It’s just a levelheaded, practical way to think and act — that’s what the Bible is all about.
I don’t know of any other book you could turn to for such wonderful practical advice. To me it is the original book of common sense. What makes this advice so special is that it is from God. Every word in the Bible is a revelation from God (2 Tim 3:16-17). God used forty men led by the Holy Spirit to write the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments over the course of 1,500 years.

In God’s Word, the Bible, we see common sense translated from the Hebrew word (verb) “bin” that is defined as “to discern or understand”.  This verb is used multiple times throughout the scripture. So to answer your question, yes, it is a biblical term related directly to the Bible.

Let’s take a look at some examples from the Bible that directly relate to common sayings we use today.

Common Saying:
If you keep hanging around those people you’re going to end up getting in trouble.

The Bible already tells us:
“³³ Do not let anyone fool you. Bad people can make those who want to live good become bad.”  1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLV)

Common Saying:
No sense trying to talk to him about it, he won’t listen. All he thinks about is himself.

The Bible already tells us:
“Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.” Proverbs 18:1 (NLT)

Common Saying:
She’s nothing but a gossip and a troublemaker; all she wants to do is break up our friendship.

The Bible already tells us:
“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”  Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)

Common Saying:
With all that is going on in my life, I doubt if God even knows I exist or cares.

The Bible already tells us:
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  ² You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.  ³ You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  ⁴ You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. ⁵ You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”  Psalms 139:1-6 (NLT)

Common Saying:
What’s the use, God could never love a person like me. With all that I’ve done in my life, I know I’m headed straight to hell in a hand basket.

The Bible already tells us:
“⁹ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. ¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”  Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

Let me close with this piece of advice concerning the Bible. When you’re reading Scripture and a verse seems to jump out that makes common sense to you, don’t try looking for another meaning. The Holy Spirit inside of you has unlocked your understanding of that verse, so take it at face value in the context that it’s written.

I hope I’ve answered your question. Common sense is a biblical term related to the Bible. The Bible is the only book we have written by God, and we can trust it without question.