Christians, shouldn't we use our own good common sense more?

Question

I see so many question from Christians asking what they can and cannot do. Can a christian smoke pot, can we go to bars, can we do anything sexual? You can do anything and be a Christian, but that doesn't mean you should.

Lots of Christians want an exact page and verse in the Bible to show them what they want and if they don't see what they want they try to look for loopholes in the wording so they can justify their behavior.

Instead of having to have an exact definitive right or wrong answer (some of that stuff just isn't in the Bible, sorry), why don't we just use our own common sense when it comes to this stuff?

Ask yourself not what is "right" or "wrong" but ask "what is the wise thing to do?" I learned this principle and found when I answer that question honestly, I will more often than not, find myself in right standing with God's word and making good decisions.

Shouldn't we use our own sensibilities more?

Others criticize us for not thinking for ourselves, and quoting the Bible like a broken record, but I think we would have some more credibility if we could make basic, logical arguments to people who are not Christians.

Ok, some of you misunderstood. I am not speaking of faith in a religion, but of the basic moral examples such as the ones I provided. The fullness of Christianity transcends anything a human mind can conceive, but I am not talking about faith or a choice to believe or not. Some of you are making the question's context much wider than it was intended to be. Sorry for the confusion

Athee makes a good point, this principle works for anyone who wants to make good basic moral decision, regardless of religion or lack of.

Just to clarify, I am not discrediting the Bible in anyway or saying that our sensibilities should take precedence over it. I'm just pointing out that often you will not find the exact answer you're looking for and people will use that to justify something they shouldn't do. If someone has a basic Christian faith and understanding, they should usually be able to discern between wise and unwise easily. And if you read the Bible enough, you probably already know it's in there!!

Answer 1

Much of the problem when it comes to understanding God's Word is because so many have lost the ability to use good common sense. And common sense is essential to understanding the Word of God.

Yet, common sense is only part. The unction of the Holy Spirit is that spirit of truth that promotes good common sense. If a man leads the spirit, he will not understand the things of God. We must let the Holy Spirit lead us in all things. That is common sense.

Answer 2

I realize that most christians would avoid this question, and I am not sure I can answer it in a way that you would understand, or believe, I'll wager. First of all, the scriptures are true, and yes some can be a bit discomforting. So, let me start by saying that if someone just decides to pick up the bible and start reading it, yes, you may right from the start turn to a certain passage of scripture and be like, whoa! If I don't know something, or am not sure, I will tell you. I don't know all the bible, nor do I claim to know what God was, is and will be thinking. On your Luke 19:27 passage, this was a parable, not something that actually happened. It is a story of example of our willingness to serve God. Some people God has given much to, and others not so much. Just because He chooses to give much to some and not others doesn't excuse the fact that what we have we must use for him. If person A is given a truly blessed life by God, and knows this and uses his/her life to serve God in thanks and praise, that is good. But what of the person who is given less? Does God still expect him to give the little he has been given? Yes. Why? Because all who love God, whether have a little or a lot, will go to heaven. God wants you to give him what you have, and not waste it. The remark about slaying his ememies before him? I would in my own understanding of that believe that no matter who you are, rich or poor, talented or not, must give what you what you have back to God. He created you, just as you are. Maybe you don't have what someone else has, and you blame God for that. That is common. You say, How can I serve you when I don't have as much as that person? He knows how much you have. If he wanted you to have more, he would have given you more. It isn't a competition to serve God. I know this isn't a lot to work on, and I would be happy to explain more to you. I won't run and hide. Let me know. For starters, you should read the whole chapter in Luke 19 to understand the parable, because even I, who believes in God, has struggled with that same passage. Interesting that I would come across your question... and people say God isn't real... Take care:) You can find me if you want. Without going into detail, time is short, but I will be glad to discuss this further with you, discuss, not force.

Answer 3

You make a great point. Reading bible verses on here gets boring after awhile. People need to start thinking for themselves and make decisions based on what they think is right, not what the bible says, although it does play a part. You can still believe in God and use your own common sense. Society would be so much better off with people like that.

Answer 4

Paul said that all things are allowable for us, but not all things are expedient. Now, you say, let's use common sense. Okay. I would be more along the lines of, let's ask God what He thinks about this or that and see what He answers.

When I am wondering if I should do something or not, that is usually the sign right there that I shouldn't. And I don't fault any Christian wanting to go to the word for answers to their questions. That is always, always the first place we should look.

Answer 5

I agree with you, but it's not just Christians who make this mistake ... there are some 'followers' of every religion who think that if they just 'read the book' they'll be 'perfect' and they lose track of 'using common sense' ... and some of them never had any common sense to begin with, so what do THEY use? They ask questions here ... and I am happy to answer them using my own common sense. Perhaps if you did the same, more people would learn how to use common sense.

Answer 6

If a man accepts the atonement by faith he is made new and in agreement with God's righteousness not his sensibilities but God's righteousness. If a man trust his sensibilities then anyone who deems murder is good is following his own idea of morality God's law has not missed anything as far as how a person should be. We are not under the law but under grace. We are by faith made new and in agreement with God's law.

Edit I agree that we are now guided by the Holy Spirit which does not disagree with the word of God and are even required by God to go beyond the law. Anyone who does a thing in a bad conscience does sin but that is not to to say we should put that which is our conscience on another.
We are by faith new creatures and are in agreement with God's righteousness no longer under the law but free to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Answer 7

You hit it on the head. I get so tired of the sin and forgivness thing, if something is a sin then you shouldn't do it period. The sin and forgivness part of christianity is a major problem that allows people to commit haneous acts and expect to be forgiven. For me there is no forgivness for the worst sins, of course if it's something small or insignificant then there is some understanding. everybody makes mistakes.

Answer 8

Our logic can definitely play a part. Logically, we ask ourselves, "Will the Holy Spirit go with me to the bar?", "Will the Holy Spirit lie with me in another man's wifes bed?"

Yup. I think common sense could help us to know the answer.

Answer 9

I believe that Jesus taught wisdom straight from the Bible. Common sense is important yes.

Answer 10

IT'S GOD'S WORD, NOT OURS!!! it up to Him! common sense cannot figure God out! we can't use it to fill in missing parts! only God can! that is why we ask! God's wisdom is more wise that the wisest human on the face of the planet in all of it's short history! we cannot do it! we can use it but use it in a humble way. do you understand? if you had any common sense in the first place, you wouldn't have asked now would you?