Over the past couple of decades I have written at least three articles on the topic of plain old common sense. “The Death of Common Sense,” by Phillip Howard was written and published in the 1990’s. I learned of the existence of this book in sort of a round about way, and I will admit up front that I have not read the book (though it is on order). I only mention the book to prove a point. This book, along with thousands of hits on a Google search under the words ‘common sense,’ indicates that the Western World seems to be losing common sense in almost every facet of life. What I am about to tell you is true, and it will serve as an indication of the need to revisit the subject of common sense and careful reasoning.
I placed an order at the local Lowe’s here in Montgomery this week. I needed a 4’ x 8’ piece of paneling for the back of a small bookcase I am building. I received the email that my order (placed six hours earlier) was ready for pickup. Behind the pickup counter there were approximately 20 feet of wall space containing various sizes of small cubicles where pickup orders were placed for easy retrieval when the customer arrived. So, I handed the lady at the counter a copy of my order, containing the order number. She took the sheet and commenced to look in those small cubicles for the number that would match my order number. Realizing she did not know what the item was I had ordered, I informed her that the order was a 4’ x 8’ piece of paneling. She seemed not to have heard what I said, so I got her attention and told her again that the order was for a 4’ x 8’ piece of paneling. She said she heard me, but she was required to begin by looking in the cubicles.
It took about 5 minutes for her to compare the order number of my sheet with the tag number on the products in the two-dozen or more cubicles. The next step was to go to the computer and look up the order, which obviously informed her the order was a 4’ x 8’ piece of paneling. So, she returned to the cubicles to begin a search once again for this 4’ x 8’ piece of paneling. When she could not find it, she just stood there looking around the cubicles as if at a total loss of what to do. She finally sent me to the contractor department of the store, where I was informed that I had to return to the pick up order counter. Rather than go through all that again, I simply returned home and cancelled the order.
Thomas Edison is credited with having said, “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense.” Someone once suggested that common sense is the same thing as wisdom. If they are not the same, at least they are first cousins. Even the renowned atheist Robert Owens was aware of the importance of common sense when he wrote, “It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.” It seems to be that the further our nation gets away from God the more it loses the ability to exercise plain old common sense. Does it seem that way to you?
The apparent lack of common sense in our society has led to the decline in the ability of those with whom we study the Bible to grasp some of simple passages in God’s word. What, for example, can be simpler than the statement, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16)? That is not difficult to understand. In fact, it takes years in a seminary to mess that up. Do we doubt this? Several years ago I was asked by a denominational preacher what those in the church of Christ believed about baptism. Without saying a word, I simply opened my Bible to Mark 16:16 and asked him to read the passage. Without a word from me, he responded by saying, “Well, we don’t see it that way.” I said nothing, but just looked at him. He realized what he had said and attempted to correct his statement. To my astonishment he said, “Well, I know what it says, but we don’t believe that.” I remained silent, just looking into his face. The more he struggled with how to explain what had just happened, the worse he got himself into a mess.
The Bible calls for men to use sound reasoning when seeking divine truth. We are to “prove all things, hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). We are to be able to “give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). God called on Israel of old, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18). Luke tells us that when Paul “reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25), his sound logic was so convincing that “Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me” (Acts 24:25b).
Most people engage the mind when it comes to secular matters and draw certain conclusions based upon sound principles of logic. They may not realize they are using logic, but they do so just the same. When we exercise the mind so as to reason properly, we are exercising prudence. Now there is word that we don’t hear much in today’s vernacular.
The “Free Dictionary online” defines prudence as: “Careful or wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.” Jesus once called for His disciples to humble themselves and become as little children. I have no doubt that two of the character traits our Lord encouraged us to pursue was that of being forgiving and teachable. But children also have a knack at using simple common sense in doing the things they are really interested in. Solomon tells his son to “understand prudence” (Pro. 8:5). He also tells us, “smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence” (Pro. 19:25). Paul tells us that God gave us His Son to redeem us “according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Eph. 1:8).
One more thought before I close. Common sense can help us to make reasonable estimates of the outcome of certain actions and where those will lead. One observation is that salvation will only be obtained by our use of common sense reasoning in our study of the Bible. At the same time, you will never find a 4’ x 8’ piece of plywood in a cubicle that measures only 12 x 12. Common sense tells me that.
By Tom Wacaster