RESULTS OF IGNORING GOD: DEPRAVED MINDS
We live in a tension-filled world. Violence, deception, fraud, and strained relations seem to be the norm rather than the exception.
A typical daily newspaper front page will include: (1) reports of some full-scale war somewhere in the world, (2) a local or area murder story, (3) fraudulent activity locally, (4) a kidnapping somewhere, (5) a local barroom brawl or some such story. When you think about the human relations you know of, don’t they compare to the following?
“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, malice; 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).
The way to keep from developing such a mind is to choose to know and keep God’s commandments.
A HAPPIER NOTE: WHOLESOME MINDS
The Bible verses in this chapter have been assembled with an emphasis on the management of your mind. You can choose what will linger there. You can have a depraved mind—or a wholesome mind. If you seek to please God with the use of your mind, you will be able to describe yourself as did the prophet Jeremiah:
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Finally, some classic advice from the apostle Paul on the management of your mind:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:6-8).