Romans 1:24-31

Given Over to Their Own Heart

God allows people to chase the unrighteousness they long for

In their wickedness, they exchange the truth of God for a lie

This is what happens when we follow our desires/heart -> we exchange the truth for our thoughts -> an ever present danger!

King Saul, David, and Solomon teach us these dangers

This leads them to worship the creature rather than the creator -> they worship their desires (their own selves) rather than God

It is not that God forced them to sin, but rather removed conviction from them that they go head first into their sins and the fruit of that sin: death

With God removed, their morality vanished completely

A Reprobate Mind

The reprobate mind does what it wants to do -> a lengthy list of evil! (unrighteous and wicked!)

Sexual perversion -> homosexuality (vv. 26-27), fornication (v. 29)

Consistently, the degeneration of morality leads to an animalistic view and treatment of sex

Selfish -> greedy (covetous), envious, unmerciful, proud, arrogant, untrustworthy (covenant breakers), and unloving (without natural affection)

The reprobate mind cares more for itself than anything else

Proud -> arrogant, proud, boastful

The reprobate mind is certain they are right and lack any humility to make them think otherwise

Hateful -> Deceit, malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters

The reprobate mind is full of hatred for others and God

Violent -> murders and quarrels

The reprobate mind is a violent mind -> without a high view of God, we lack a high view of man created in God’s image

Bad decision makers -> senseless (without understanding), , inventors of evil, disobedient to parents

They do not see the error of their ways or the goodness of sound instruction

Knowing what is right, they choose to do what is wrong and take pleasure in it

Not only do they have pleasure, but the take pleasure in others doing the same thing as them -> they are wicked counselors!

This is a sad state that will run its course -> unexpected for them, but expected for us (Ps. 73:1-20)

It is not necessarily permanent, but definitely hard to come back from

Heed God while your heart is soft enough to do so, for one day you may no longer care