"28. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30. slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31. foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:28-32).
Review:
The theme of Romans 1 is, "They are under sin." The words, "they," "them," and "their" are repeated 25 times in chapter 1 while the words "you," "your," and "yourself" are repeated 35 times in chapter 2.
Romans 1, reads like a court case, presenting condemning evidence for why "they" will be found guilty before God on Judgment Day. There are 4 indictments against "them" in chapter 1.
Indictment 1: While God passionately pursued them, they worshiped and served created things, betraying their Creator (Romans 1:19-23).
Indictment 2: Due to their continued lust for sin, God gave them to impurity. God hoped they would see that vanity of sin and return to Him. While they indulged in sin, God was ever-present, sustaining their lives, ready to receive them back if they chose to repent (Romans 1:24-25).
Indictment 3: The sins of impurity were not enough for them, therefore, God gave them to dishonorable passions. Their sin moved from the private realms of their lives to the public arena. Though their sin brought them public shame, they refused to repent. They craved sin more than they loved God and their own honor (Romans 1:26-27).
Indictment 4: Lastly, since they persisted in sin, God gave them to a debased mind. It is this debased mind that we turn our attention to today (Romans 1:28-32).
As you read the words, " God gave them up to a debased mind," you should imagine a third and final wedding that took place between rebellious mankind and sin. In this wedding, God represented the loving father who walked "them" down a third, most dreadful spiritual isle, placed "their" hands into the hands of a debased mind and let go. The marriage between mankind and sin is now complete. They are now owned and controlled by impurity, dishonorable passions, and a debased mind. Like the loving father of a wayward son (Luke 15:11-21), God removed His protective covering over their lives as "they" self-destruct. God desired their repentance but they continued to chase after their sins.
What is a debased mind? The key to understanding a debased mind is to know the meaning of the words "filled" and "full" in verse 29. Look at the picture above. Which of these two cups is full? Like an overflowing cup, a debased mind is a mind that is completely "full" of sin. The person who has been given to a debased mind has been filled, from the bottom of their feet to the top of their head with sin. The overflow from their lives is wickedness.
Reread Romans 1:28-32 and notice all the sins they were filled with.
Look at how God describes a debased mind elsewhere in Scripture.
The Debased Mind:
- Hardened Mind (2 Cor 3:14)
- Blinded Mind (2 Cor 4:4)
- Futile Mind (Eph 4:17)
- Darkened Mind (Eph 4:18)
- Hostile Mind (Col 1:21)
- Deluded Mind (Col 2:4)
- Captive and Deceived Mind (Col 2:8)
- Sensuous Mind (Col 2:18)
- Depraved Mind (1 Tim 6:5)
- Corrupted Mind (2 Tim 3:8)
- Defiled Mind (Tit 1:15)
Application:
God's primary way to produce repentance in a person's heart is to give that person over to the sins they desire. The fruit of sin is death. Sin never satisfies. What sins are you desiring? Though sin looks enticing it always produces a harvest of distraction in our lives. Does God need to give you over to the sins your heart desires so you can taste the bitterness of their deception? Turn your heart to God now. Live the full life that God promised to give those who follow Him (John 10:10).
Mark your Bible:
- Next to Romans 1:28 write the words, "Given to a Debased Mind"
- Underline the words "filled" and "full" in verse 29 to help you remember the meaning of a Debased Mind. A Debased mind is a mind that is full of sin.
Prayer to pray:
Father, by studying "their" sins in Romans, I can't help but see my own sins. I have a rebellious heart. Please forgive my many sins. Cleanse me. I want my greatest desire to be You, not my sins.
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