Is Common Sense Biblical?

Michael W.
Oct 16
3 min read

Why Wisdom is the Original Street Smarts

It’s one of those phrases we use every day: "Just use your common sense!" We rely on this practical, non-academic judgment to navigate traffic, manage our money, and know whether to bring an umbrella.

But if you look up "common sense" in the King James Version of the Bible, you won't find it. So, does God expect us to operate solely on spiritual inspiration, or is there room for good old-fashioned practical thinking?

The answer is a resounding yes—but the Bible just uses much richer, deeper words for it. The biblical equivalent of common sense is primarily found in the words wisdom and prudence, and they are the foundation of successful, God-honoring living.

1. The Word vs. The Concept

The main reason you won’t find the phrase "common sense" in older Bible translations is simple: it’s a modern, idiomatic English phrase. However, the core idea—having sound judgment in practical matters—is absolutely central to Scripture.

In fact, some modern translations, like the New Living Translation (NLT), actually insert the phrase "common sense" when translating certain verses from the book of Proverbs, because it perfectly captures the intended meaning of the original Hebrew.

2. The Core Substitute: Wisdom (Chokmah)

In the Old Testament, especially in the wisdom books, the primary term is wisdom (chokmah).

When we hear "wisdom," we often think of philosophers or academics. But biblical wisdom is far more practical. It's the skill of living righteously and successfully in the world God created. It is the spiritual equivalent of having excellent practical judgment.

This application of truth to daily decisions is what we call common sense. Consider this passage:

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.” — Proverbs 2:6-7 (NLT)

Here, common sense is presented as a valuable gift from God, something that protects and guides those who walk with integrity. It means not just knowing God’s laws, but applying them shrewdly in real-world scenarios, like managing your time, choosing your friends, or handling a business deal.

3. The Art of Foresight: Prudence and Discretion

If wisdom is the skill, prudence and discretion are the tools of common sense in action. The Hebrew word for prudence implies foresight and the ability to consider consequences.

A prudent person doesn’t rush into things. They stop, look, and listen. They use their God-given intelligence to weigh options and anticipate danger. This is why the Book of Proverbs is filled with warnings against the "simple" or "foolish" person who fails to use this faculty:

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” — Proverbs 22:3 (NLT)

This is perhaps the most powerful example of common sense in the Bible. It’s practical self-preservation: if you see a pit in the road (danger), you go around it (precaution). That’s not a spiritual gift; that’s practical intelligence, and the Bible mandates it.

Common Sense in Action (Nehemiah's Example)

We see the combination of faith and common sense throughout the Bible. When Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the enemies were plotting to attack. Did he just pray and wait? No.

“So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night to meet this threat.” — Nehemiah 4:9 (NIV)

He combined faith (prayer) with common sense (posting a guard). That's a perfect biblical example of using the prudence God provides.

4. The Inverse Lesson: Avoiding Folly

The Bible often teaches common sense by showing the disaster that results from its opposite: folly. The fool in the Bible isn’t necessarily someone with low intelligence; it's someone who rejects practical wisdom and ignores the consequences of their actions.

Folly is demonstrated by:

Rash Speech: Saying everything that comes to mind (Proverbs 15:2).
Impulsiveness: Jumping into a deal or relationship without advice or thought.
Laziness: The book warns against the sluggard who won't plant during the season because he wants instant gratification (Proverbs 20:4).

In short, the entire message of the wisdom literature is a call to be sensible, thoughtful, and deliberate—to practice the kind of practical judgment that honors both God and the gift of intellect He gave us.

The Takeaway: You don't need to look for the phrase "common sense" to find it in the Bible. Instead, look for wisdom, prudence, and discretion. These are the biblical mandates to engage your brain, think ahead, and live intentionally.