Sense and Sensibility
This is the name of one of my favorite movies to watch with my daughters when they were growing up and we wanted to watch a chick flick. There is one sister who is sensible and wise. Discreet. Then there is the other sister who was not as sensible. She went with her senses and whatever felt good or seemed right. Sense and sensibility might sound similar, but the difference between these two words is the polar opposite. One depends on good sense while the other depends on the senses/our feelings.
Bible Reading of the Day: Proverbs 14-15
Today’s reading takes us on a comparison of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the unrighteous, and we see the word sensible or senses at least 6 times.
Overview of Today’s Reading
Come to your senses, Solomon is encouraging us. And if we can see the fruit of just following the senses instead of being sensible, we come to understand that being sensible is where we find peace.
Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.”
You see the measure we use to determine what is best ought not to be our feelings, our senses, or what seems right to us. Why? Because our hearts are desperately wicked, according to Scripture. That might seem hard for us to accept. And it is hard not to rely on self because our own thoughts seem valid. But when we rely on our own understanding instead of God’s we can get into trouble and be led astray.
Proverbs 14:8, “The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.”
Our own hearts are deceitful, friends. We have no wisdom on our own. But the good news is that we can get wisdom. We can learn from the sensible and the senseless today.
Proverbs 14:15, “The inexperienced one believes anything but the sensible one watches his steps.”
Now I’m not talking about like when I was a little girl and I was careful not to step on any cracks in the sidewalk. Anyone else do that? Y’all, we have to think for ourselves. Don’t just believe anything. Get wisdom. Fear God. This leads us to be sensible people.
Proverbs 14:18, “The inexperienced inherit foolishness but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.”
The inexperienced are those who have not had experience with wisdom. The fruit is folly. The way of the fool is painful, friends. Separated from God. Be sensible. Get wisdom. Fear God. The sensible one fears God and understands we will and do answer to Him for how we live. And when we fear God, it helps us to live lives that please Him.
Proverbs 14:26-27 describe the fruit of the sensible person who fears God
26 “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.”
So how do we get this good sense?
- We are accountable. And we accept correction.
Proverbs 15:5
“A fool despises his father’s discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.”
- We are disciplined and we listen to correction – we don’t ignore it.
Proverbs 15:32
“Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.”
- We are humble. We recognize that what seems right isn’t – we cannot determine what is righteous, but god can. And we ask Him.
Proverbs 15:33
“The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.”
Friends, the crowd will try to pull us to folly. But folly will only entertain the senseless for a short while until the consequences start rolling in.
Proverbs 15:21
“Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.”
Lasting joy is found in being wise and walking in the fear of the LORD.
Scripture of the Day:
“Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.”
It is when we acknowledge our shame and examine it biblically that we become wise.
Application
- Don’t ignore conviction.
- Shame can point us to repentance and wisdom.
7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Day #215: Proverbs 14-15
Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 14:9
Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Prov.14
Join me live at 8am ET: www.facebook.com/deniseduboispass
Bible Reading Plan: https://denisepass.com/bible-reading-plan/
Missed one of the Bible time lives? No problem! Check it out on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/denisepass_seeingdeep
Sign up for the Bible Reading Plan!
