Depraved: May 31, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 31, 2013

DEPRAVED

DEFINITION:

Corrupted; evil; deteriorated; perverted.

SCRIPTURE:

Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind; to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

If you are wondering what it means to have a depraved mind you need only to look at people around you. We live in a depraved society because it is guided by people with depraved minds. A depraved mind is corrupted by evil and leads one to do what they ought not to do.

In Romans 1:28-32, Paul gives a precise description of those who have depraved minds. “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful. They invent ways of being evil; they disobey their parents, they are senseless, faithless, heartless and ruthless.

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do those things but also approve of those who practice them.

Paul’s purpose in writing Romans was to warn the church of God’s wrath that will come on those who are unrighteous. He was describing the depraved condition of the Roman society of his day, but it clearly defines our society today. It is evident that the sinful nature of man has not changed over time.

Although the Romans knew about God they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge Him as God. When anyone chooses to reject God, He allows them to do it. God does not force anyone to follow Him. When people refuse to acknowledge God He does turn them over to their depraved minds. People prefer to believe Satan’s lies that reinforce their selfish desires and depraved beliefs.

In Romans, chapter 1, Paul is calling on them to examine their lives. It is a call for us, also, to examine our own lives. Are we doing what we ought to do, or are we allowing our depraved minds to cause us to do what ought not to be done?  

The apostle Paul in Philippians 2:15 spoke to the believers in the church and told them to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you would prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent in the midst of a crooked, depraved and perverse generation among whom you appear as lights in the world.”

There is never a right time to do wrong!

There is never a wrong time to do right!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 119:165:

Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

PRAYER:

Help me to be aware of the evil in today’s society. Help me to cling to the knowledge of Your Word so that I will do what I ought to do. Take away all evil desires and depraved thoughts that will lead me to sin and turn away from following You.