And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful…

Romans 1:28-31

“God gave them over”…”God gave them over”…”God gave them over.” We see it three (3) times in this one passage. God will allow us to pursue lives of depravity, wickedness, and sin if that is what we desire (John 3:19). God doesn’t force Himself or the salvation that He offers us on anyone (Hebrews 4:1-2). Today, we see yet another of these declarations of God giving people over to their own depravity. “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind.” Let’s make sure that we accurately define “depravity.” This word should be defined as “moral corruption, evil, and wickedness.” Observable truth in our world today? Of course, especially as the culture demands that unrighteousness and wickedness be tolerated, revered, and even celebrated. 

So God gives these people over to a depraved mind. Have you ever seen someone attempt to articulate something that screams of illogical thought, defying all of the principles of common sense? This is a depraved mind. And tragically, it is not an uncommon phenomenon in our world today. What would have been wholeheartedly rejected by those just two generations ago, is now propagated as a proper course for humanity. These depraved “thinkers” spread just about any idea other than that of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And should we believe that these people don’t know what they are doing? Consider the following: “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind.” Scripture makes it abundantly clear that they know exactly what they are doing. We don’t have to go too far back in the passage to find a description of these people. These are “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:18b-19). God has made Himself evident to them, yet they suppress the truth in their attitudes, ideology, and behavior. Creation even speaks against their attempts to corrupt, “His (God’s) eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). So they know God exists, but they continue to suppress the truth by any means that they can, ignoring all of the evidence seen through creation so that they are now without excuse. But perhaps the following is the best summary of the spiritual reality in their lives…”For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). So God has given them over to a depraved mind. 

We need to remember, as Christians, that it is not our job to win arguments, dominate a conversation, or change hearts. Only God can do that. But our job is to represent a loving God who desires to deliver men, women, and children from spiritual darkness and has done everything necessary for that to take place (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Depravity and spiritual darkness may be the reality in our world today but it is also an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in whom we come in contact. But it is important for us to be able to properly discern depravity when we see it, hear it, or experience it played out in our world. 

“God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.” Depraved thinking, coupled with a heart that is spiritually darkened, leads to corrupt behavior. This is the truly tragic part of everything we see in our modern culture. It’s not just faulty, godless thinking, it permeates a person’s speech, behavior, and lifestyle. This is the result of sin left unchecked. So, just as God gave them over to a depraved mind, He also gives them over to doing things which are not proper. But it’s the next part that should really grab our attention. These people are “being filled” with all sorts of ungodly, wicked, and vile behavior. Just like born again believers in Jesus Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit, these individuals, apart from Christ, are also filled but with characteristics compatible with destruction, condemnation, and damnation (John 3:18). This is the tragic narrative in our culture today. 

And what are some of the characteristics that these unrepentant people exhibit? “Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful…” this is the testimony of their lives. We won’t attempt to unpack this laundry list of ungodly, wicked, and sinful behavior, for most of this list is self-explanatory. But we need to remember that all of this begins when people reject the gospel, become futile in their thinking, possess a darkened heart, and begin to make decisions without spiritual understanding. 

But the activity of God is alive and well. When we connect with other born again believers, listen to their testimonies, and share life experiences together, we see that we are not alone in this effort to bring people to saving faith in Jesus. The offer of salvation in Christ continues to go out and will continue until the return of Christ. This is the mission of the church, to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-30) and to preach the gospel to all of creation (Mark 16:15-16). Blessed are those who continue to live their lives in Christ openly for all to see. We need never question whether or not serving Christ will be worth it for it most assuredly will be! (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 

      1 Corinthians 2:14-15