Common Sense vs. Nonsense

Commonsense is defined as “sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge or training; normal, native intelligence.” To some extent, everyone is born with a certain amount of commonsense. Why, then, is it not manifested in more people today? No doubt the answer is found in the old, proverbial country saying, “He ain’t usin’ the brains God gave him!” In other words, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

Since you can’t pull the wool over the eyes of a man or woman who thinks things through, the world, along with the religious con artists, must needs make light of such people. As a result of this intimidation, many no longer think for themselves, but cower in a corner, and let the pseudo-intellectuals do their mental gymnastics for them.

One area where Christians throw commonsense out the window has to do with the ascetic teaching and lifestyle of many groups today. The Bible teaches that self denial, and self mortification are individual things. It has to do with the person and his God. There are many legitimate things some saints cannot do, because, though not bad in themselves, they come between the individual and God. This type of self sacrifice is to be commended. But to want everyone else to give up something just because you can’t handle it is “phariseeism” at its worst. This is nonsense, not commonsense.

Abstinence from lawful things does not make one more spiritual than someone else; it only gives one the reputation for being so. But remember, God is not deceived by our religious externals.

“But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”