Romans 1:32
who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
As a born-again Christian and Bible teacher, I am called by God to expose evil (Ephesians 5:11) and edify my brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). I am not called to judge or condemn others, for this is what God will ultimately do.
Yet, I am called to discern in God’s wisdom, when others may be deceived by looking the other way when confronting evil, and in danger of being judged by God.
Ezekiel was instructed to speak God’s messages to God’s people, regardless of whether they listened or not, as they were described as rebellious. If he warned them about their wrongdoings and they did not heed the warning, he would not be held responsible for their fate (Ezekiel 2:1-7).
Paul is also warning a rebellious people of today in Romans chapter 1.
Which things is Paul warning us about?
Romans 1:28-31
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
When we watch the news, can we spot any of these sins (crimes) listed above?
Some of us, including well-known public figures (actors, performers), and politicians, have recently embraced the call for violence, even murder, of people who disagree with their politics. They embrace this rhetoric without fear of accountability masked by freedom of speech. Some may even call themselves religious, churchgoers, thinking that God is on their side.
The scriptures above say that God has given them over to a debased mind.
Romans 1:32 goes a bit further. God will hold just as guilty those who approve evil doers, those who sustain them in power (financial support, voting for them, buying their products, etc.), just as if they had personally committed the same sin (crime).
The Bible says God appoints government officials to punish evil, not excuse evil (sin, crimes), as we see lately in society.
Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Tony Evans explains further:
When people reject God, God delivers them over to a corrupt mind (1:28). Thus, instead of acting sane, they act like people who have gone stark raving mad. The worst part is that they still assume they are thinking clearly.
You can know a person or a culture has descended into ultimate corruption when people give public and legal approval to sin.
Paul lists twenty-four ways godlessness leads to madness. This is a catalog of societal breakdown, filled with greed, murder, and deceit (1:29). We look around at our culture and say, “How did things get so crazy?” Paul answers: as a society, you asked to be free from God. This is what you get.
Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1118.
If we think for one second that we are on God’s side, we need to start reading the Bible, pray for wisdom, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and vote these politicians who are excusing sin out of office. Failing to do this will result in God holding us responsible for not doing our due diligence when voting for our leaders. Vote the Bible!
If there is a law in our land, we need to enforce that law. If I do not like it, I need to vote for politicians who will change the law, not ignore the law in the books. Ignoring laws is unrighteousness, and this is what Paul wrote about in Romans 1.
When we embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and obey Him —not just believe in Him —He sends us the Holy Spirit, and we see society through the eyes of God and the Bible. We start to love what He loves and hate what He hates.
Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
(1) A proud look
This is a person who is self-sufficient and does not need God. Liberals designated a month, Pride Month, to celebrate everything God hates and they love.
(2) A lying tongue
God hates deception. Jesus called the devil the father of lies. The devil works in gray areas, in the shadows. To those who love deception, the righteousness of God stands as a fascist movement, non-conforming. Jesus said, Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything else is of the devil.
(3) Hands that shed innocent blood
What is more innocent than a baby in the mother’s womb? Yet liberals call the baby a piece of flesh, part of the mother’s body, subject to mutilation and expulsion from the body. If the mother tests the DNA of that piece of flesh, she will discover that the baby is not her own body but a distinct person. Destroying that baby is murder in God’s eyes. If people and politicians approve of killing a baby, they will also approve of the murder of those whose views are different. The sanctity of life is removed.
(4) A heart that devises wicked plans
If we do not have the Spirit of God in us, we will not care about our neighbor and will seek to steal what he has, even murdering that person. Look at the news, you see this reported every day. Liberal seek to sow class warfare to divide the masses and cause chaos.
(5) Feet that are swift in running to evil
We see this in TV news daily. Instead of peaceful protest, people resort to riots to make their voices heard.
(6) A false witness who speaks lies
We see this in fake news. Claiming some leader has said this, or some politician has done that, without any proof.
(7) And one who sows discord among brethren
Remember when liberals called for not attending Thanksgiving dinner with those who voted for President Trump, even if they are members of your family.
If we love what God hates and hate what God loves, we need to ponder which side of God we are on.
Joshua 24:15
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
It is not ultimately about choosing sides, but discerning that there are spiritual forces that manipulate those whom God has given over to a depraved mind. As the Apostle Paul warned us in Ephesians 6:10-13, we do not wrestle only with flesh but against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Father God, I pray that you open the eyes of those blinded by the god of this age. Snatch your children, those you have called according to your purpose (Romans 8:28), from the halls of darkness and call them to you. Make them mighty warriors, for your name’s sake and for your glory.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen!
