(PNN) PPSIMMONS News and Ministry Network: DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO LACK COMMON SENSE OR ELSE!

by Rev. Joda Collins

First, there is no such thing as common sense and never has been. The French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) wrote:

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"Common" implies that it is normal, natural and a usual part of or experience of the majority. "Sense" means rational or logical. Common sense means the normal rational thought that is a usual experience of most people. However, the average person does not naturally or normally think in a rational manner. Otherwise, how can one explain the reality that one-third of Americans are Democrats? For those that do not grasp the correlation between a flawed thought process and being a Democrat, this article is above your ability to comprehend. Do something else. Bye. How can you explain the existence of Muslims, JW's, Mormons and others who get caught up in religion because they can not or chose not to figure out who Jesus is? How can you explain the host of lost people (non-Christians) who know they are going to hell, but reject the free gift of salvation in Christ? The world is filled with an overwhelming number of people who cannot think straight or well.

The term common sense should be replaced with the term critical thinking which is the objective analysis of an issue that brings the thinking to form good judgement on said issue. The reason common sense is not a good term to use is that common sense is not common to an overwhelming percentage of people. For example, the following makes sense to a lot of people.

A person is not a real person until he or she is born.

Even though their nervous system exists, babies burned or dismembered in the womb do not feel anything because they cannot scream in fluid.

Marriage can be between two or more men or two more women and still be a marriage.

Children reared in a home with one parent, or homosexual parents will not be effected negatively by either one.

There is no God or eternal life.

If we open our borders there will be no significant harm done to our Country relative to American's health,wealth or safety.

The government can tax Americans enough to end poverty.

Those who can but refuse to work should be taken care of (financially supported) by Americans who can and are working.

If we can save one person from dying of the Wuhan Virus it is worth destroying the US economy.

If we can save one person from dying in a car crash it is worth making it illegal to drive a car.

Sex outside of marriage has no negative results.

All children in school now who will not go back to school for the remainder of this year should be promoted to the next grade even though they did not learn the material at their current grade level because the Wuhan Virus was not their fault,

Abortionists deserve to live.

The Democrat Party, by all facts, is now an arm of Communism and Socialism, but having Democrats in charge of America is a good idea.

Communism and Socialism are good.

It is a good idea to throw the baby out with the wash water. (Solve a smaller problem by overreacting and causing bigger problems.)

I could go on and on and on, but you get the idea.

Our US public school system has spent two generations dumbing down students. Now, we have a greater percentage of people who lack good sense. To come in out of the rain, for them, is an exhausting mental exercise. Expecting them to discern truth from lies or good from bad in politics, mainstream media or social issues is like expecting a donkey to do algebra. We are surrounded by too many idiots.

Now, to the biblical part of this reality.

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We have to try to deal with those who lack good judgment (sense) and try to get along with them or, at least, not let their lack of good judgment harm us. An entire book could be written on each of the following points and other scripture could be added, but I have neither the time nor interest to do so. So, let me greatly summarize. Take from this what you can and will.

We need to try to get along with those who lack good judgment.

Romans 12:18 - "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody." (GNT.)

We can and should do this in a number of ways. Pick the biblical method you prayerfully think best applies to your situation. Whatever route you take there will be consequences. We live in a fallen world and as a fallen person among other fallen people.

Do not notice their lack of good judgment enough to make an issue of it.

"Love is very patient and kind…and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong." 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. (LB)

Everyone makes mistakes, even those of us with the best intentions. If someone makes an honest mistake that harms or offends us, it might be wise just to let it pass. Many people figure out, over time, that they messed up and will ask your forgiveness or determine never to make that mistake again.

Understanding that many people lack the ability, energy, will power or training to think critically (use common sense). It may be the will of God that we just do our best, in Christ, to endure them as we gently try to assist them.

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak...." Romans 15:1. (ESV)

Make room for tolerance on the basis said individual are just too ignorant at this time in their life to be held accountable.

Luke 23:34 - "The Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do...."

Give them the benefit of the doubt which allows us to be slow to take offense.

"...be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath." James 1:19 (KJV)

Listen well, delay words until you are sure those words are God's will and do not take offense easily (slow to wrath).

Approach the person and clarify your position (of common sense/critical thinking). These verses have application to approaching someone who is part of your church who has done you a personal wrong. The overriding principle is that you want to correct him or her so you can continue to have a positive association with him or her. Because I am addressing your relationship with people not in your church, I have deleted the church aspects of these verses and left only the overriding principle (premise).

"...if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; and if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained they brother....But, if he will not hear thee...let him to be unto the as an heathen man and a publican." Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV). Be sure their violation is serious enough that you are willing to sacrifice whatever spark of friendship exits between you two.

Get away from them and stay away from them. While this verse has application to those who honor false teachings, the principle is that if someone is devoted to being wrong no matter the realities, truth or their obvious ability to be wiser, and if they annoy you, delete them from your life.

"...mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Romans 16:17 (KJV)

The bottom line of this verse is that those who can do us harm or cause us grief who we believe are devoted to doing wrong no matter what need to be deleted from our lives BEFORE they do damage to us. This would include narcissists, sociopath's, psychopaths and most Democrats.

Most people are not good at building friendships/relationships. Go out of your way not to hurt people. Go out of your way to help people. If God brings a person into your life for friendship, be ready to go out of your way to keep him or her as a friend. Most (not all) people lack the common sense (good judgment/critical thinking) needed to maintain a good friendship. This means you will have to be a better friend to them than they are to you to keep their tattered friendship. The rest of the people in our lives are acquaintances. Get along with them by dealing with them wisely at arm's length. The Apostle Paul has warned us that with very, very few exceptions all men are seeking their own advancement and profit and are willing to secure it at your expense. (Philippians 2:21). People without good sense and critical thinking skills will justify your demise in an effort to secure their promotion.

It is not easy to deal with people who lack common sense/critical thinking skills. However, like air, water, words and ideas, they are all around us. Learn to deal with them successfully or fail miserably in most endeavors of life. If I read my Bible right, Jesus loved a lot of people, but during his time on Earth in a human body only one other human being loved him! If I read my Bible right, in the church today Jesus has only a small percentage of people who love him.

When I was but a wee little pup, my father said to me, "Son, if you die having had five real friends, you die a rich man." He was right.

I could easily write 300,000 words on this topic. There are a lot of variables and it takes a ton of words to cover most of those variables.

I say again and in conclusion, learn to deal successfully with people who lack common sense/critical thinking or fail miserably in most endeavors of your life.