My mother used to tell me, “That person has good sense.” What she was saying was a person with good sense was wise and able to apply wisdom to the choices they made. When a person did something foolish, she would say, “They don’t have good sense.” Having good sense is an important part of our life. Without exercising good sense, we will continue to stumble in our decision-making process creating havoc and sorrow in the lives of those affected by our decisions.

The psalmist wrote, “You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy” (Psalm 119: 73-74). Following the commands of God is critical to creating a stable life. It also makes our lives a joy for those impacted by our choices. If you don’t think this is important, talk to a wife who married a man who never graduated emotionally from high school, or a wife who spends more time in front of a mirror than one who spends time in the presence of God.

The journey toward a stable and sensible life begins with this prayer, “Help me understand the meaning of your commandments” (vs. 27). There’s a meaning and purpose behind each of God’s commands. Discover that meaning and purpose are where we get the kind of traction needed to live a sensible life. Sensibility is not some boring and humanly predictable outcome of how we choose to live. It takes us deep into the heart of God to discover and live out His truth.

The most important part of our participation in living a sensible life is stated in verse 29, “Keep me from lying to myself.” A senseless person believes their own press and begins to follow the direction of the lies they have embraced. 

The life of every believer, and even the choices made by our local and national leaders, require a sensible person at the helm who will follow the course of good sense by making decisions based on God’s truth. Good sense, the biblical kind, is only available when God is leading us along a path of truth and self-discovery. Without following that path, we will begin lying to ourselves and take others with us to a sad place. Good sense is something the wise will always seek to possess. Its presence will define our lives as being someone who can be trusted to make the right choice.