The Message version of this scripture is very blunt: “Train me in good common sense; I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.” Common sense seems to be in short supply these days. Have you seen some of the ridiculous directions on household appliances? For instance, “Do not allow children to play in dishwasher” was found in a dishwasher manual. Now, you have to know that someone must have allowed their children to do this and then, when the children were hurt, blamed the manufacturer. Otherwise the ludicrous instruction wouldn’t have been necessary. Common sense would tell us to keep our children out of a dishwasher! Having common sense is essentially using discernment. If we need wisdom and discernment, the best place to find it is in God’s Word. The instructions He gives are to give us the best, most prosperous (from a spiritual viewpoint) and joyful (regret-free) life possible. Think how different this world would be if everyone diligently sought to obey the ten commandments. He knows what He’s doing. When in doubt, check it out in the pages of the Bible. All the wisdom of the ages is found within that text.
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