MONDAY May 18, 2020
Debased Minds
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers….
Romans 1:28-29
Another indictment was given against mankind––incorruptibility. Paul has now repeated this phrase for a third time: “God gave them up.” Men and women were given over to their debase minds to continue in their sin. Paul gave a long list of sins. It would be good to look up every one of these sins in the Greek language. Think about it. Anyone of us has committed any one of these sins at one time in our lives.
Sin has ruined man’s intellect. It is shown and proclaimed in the Bible. Romans 1:28 declares men’s minds were debased. Second Corinthians 4:4 tells us that men have been blinded by sin. Then, Ephesians 4:17 asserts there is now a futility and emptiness of life. In Ephesians 4:18 tells us that men’s hearts were hardened and their understanding darkened by sin.
In Colossians 2:4, men have become deluded and stained by sin. Colossians 2:8 shows that people have been deceived by the philosophies of this world. Colossians 2:18 relates to the sensuousness in people’s lives. In 1Timothy 6:5, men’s minds are depraved. Think about serial killers or those who molest a child and get pleasure from it. Why would people take drugs and drink? They are destroying their livers and brain cells. Think about the damage people have done to their bodies!
Understand, there is no fulfillment in life unless a person comes to Christ. God did not create us for this world, but for heaven; that is why we feel unsatisfied and empty. This world is vicious, hostile and aggressive (Colossians1:21). There is a damaging effect of sin. It leaves scars in people’s hearts and minds. It is so sad. God did not create us for this world. It is only when we arrive in heaven that we shall be fully complete and be at peace.
The blood of Christ can cleanse away all sin. But we must ‘Plead guilty’ before God can declare us innocent.
~J. C. Ryle~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!