Common Sense, What's That?

                   

¹⁴ Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. ¹⁵ Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 

-Isaiah 59:14-15 (ESV)

There used to be an admirable quality known as “common sense”. However, I have come to realize that common sense is no longer common. What used to be God-honoring, conscious guide of morality and acceptable thinking is now “uncommon”. If you think our world does not make sense it is because our world has forsaken common sense. Yet this is not new. In Isaiah’s day (8^th Century B.C.), it is evident that he didn’t see much common sense in his own culture either. Though I’m not usually fan of the New Living Translation (more of a loose paraphrase in my estimation) I do like the way it depicts this passage when considering our modern times:

¹⁴ Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. ¹⁵ Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.

 -Isaiah 59:14-15 (NLT)

In a country where it is acceptable to provide a prayer room for Islamic students in a public school while not allowing Christian students to pray; where is fairness in so-called freedom of religion?

When, as a nation, we are appalled at the murder of millions of Jews and others by the Nazi’s in WWII we then turn and legalize the murder of millions of our own through legalized abortion even up to the time of birth, where is justice?

When so-called “political correctness” trumps (pun intended) truth and honesty, how is one to find out what reality is? Oh, that’s right, just “Google” it! We now live in a time and have a younger generation that is accustomed to instant access to information without having to do any earnest research on their part to determine its veracity and accuracy. It is scary when people assume or believe whatever they “Google” or find on “Wikipedia” to be true and real without so much as even checking other sources.

  The same is true for information being disseminated about God and spiritual truth. It seems that many will be quick to first check “Google” or “Wikipedia” for answers to spiritual concerns before considering the Scriptures, which are also available at their fingertips. How many attending places of worship hear something and are quick to check these sites to see if what was said is true or not. My friends, I am not against technology, in fact I’m using a PC to write this article, but don’t rely on “Google” or “Wikipedia” as a primary source for spiritual truths and principles for holy living. Take the time to nobly search for the truth. 

As it says in Acts 17:11, according to the Modern Corrupt Version, …they received the word with all eagerness, checking Google to see if these things were so.  Well, I certainly hope you don’t go looking for a copy of that version of the Bible, yet in practice, it seems that many have found it. Let’s look at what Acts 17:11 says in a more accurate version such as the ESV (English Standard Version): …they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Don’t take whatever you find on the Internet as gospel or truth. You need to search, examine and check it out to see if what it says is true. Anyone can make a website and say whatever they want. Don’t assume because they have a www. address it means they are conveying truth. Yes, the Internet is indeed providing information at a swifter rate than mankind can keep up with; but information does not equal truth. Much false information is going forth and spiritual forces are arrayed against godly people who desire to pursue holiness and they are being attacked through the Internet and other online communities. Indeed, truth has stumbled in the public squares. These days the “public squares” are as much online through social media sites, such as Facebook, as they are out in our real communities among our neighbors, in the work place and the Lord’s church. 

Despite all the woes of our modern age, take heart! God is still God and He is still in control! The word of the Lord spoken to the people of Isaiah’s day some 2800 years ago still rings out in timely fashion for today. Its relevance has not diminished.

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant. 

                                                                                                            -Isaiah 55:2b-3 (ESV)