The thoughts of the righteous are just, the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. Proverbs 12:5
My old school teachers would tell you I'm not stupid, but sometimes I don't have a whole lot of common sense.
Years ago, before school, on a terribly cold morning, one of my classmates dared me to put my tongue on the steel fence post around our yard.
Yes, I know it sounds like the movie. Well, it happened for real, and for real I accepted that silly challenge.
I saw no downside to the thing. Well, there was a downside, and I ended up regretting it for obvious reasons.
Since that time, I've taken other challenges.
I've passed cars when I shouldn't. I've taken three aspirins rather than two for those really big headaches. Smart? Not really. Just no common sense.
Now I wouldn't share all of this unless I was convinced that you have your un-common-sense moments, too. All too often, you, like me, take silly dares.
Of course, there is a way to avoid such silliness. We need to get some common sense, and ... start listening to the Lord. No, let's reverse those. Let's start listening to the Lord and get some common sense.
Not that the Lord has a lot of common sense. He doesn't. His senses are quite uncommon. He gives warnings and direction that are way above mine. He sees the dangers I cannot comprehend. Even more -- because of Jesus -- He is committed to keeping us safe from life's sad sins.
So, in the future, before us fools rush in to where angels fear to tread, I think we need to go to the Lord and ask Him to share some of His uncommon advice.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, keep us from human foolishness and sin. Grant us wisdom to make some wise decisions, which avoid nasty consequences. Keep our minds clear and open to hearing You. In Jesus I ask it; because of Jesus You hear it. In His Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 18-19 Colossians 3
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