The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your truth to me. You word is indeed a lamp unto my feet! I ask that you would help me to walk in your truth. I want to be someone who makes wise decisions. Help me to be able to discern what is foolish and what is wise. May my life be an example to others today, in what your grace can do. Help my words to be pleasing to you, and also be helpful to others as well. I don’t want anything I say or do to lead others away from you today. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:21-23
21 “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
Paul equates spiritual blindness with foolishness. He says in verse 22, “Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.” When we are spiritually blinded by the truth of God’s word, we will act in a way that displeases Him. There are many people today that have plenty of “knowledge” but very little “wisdom” because their worldview is absent of God. They attempt to find meaning and purpose outside of God, which ultimately leads them into sin and idolatry.
We can see many people today who appear to be wise. They may hold many academic degrees, may be able to state many facts, and they may even be articulate. But if these things are not matched with the fear and knowledge of God, they are fools!
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
In Romans 1:22, it says that fools “claim” to be wise, despite being fools. The fact that they “claim” to be wise reveals pride. Pride itself is the root of all sin, whereby, it causes people to exalt themselves above anything or anyone else. According to God, those who are really wise are those who humble themselves. They understand who they are and their utter dependence on God. It is not wise to be arrogant. Rather, it is wisdom to maintain a humble spirit, for in this humility, is true wisdom from God.
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does it mean to be “spiritually blind?”
How does one become “spiritual blinded?” Explain a time in your life when you were spiritually blinded. Did you know you were spiritually blind during this time?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Who are people in your life that are “spiritually blinded?”
Today, take some time to pray for those names you listed above and ask God to remove the “blinders” and bring forth the light of His truth in their lives. Ask God to use you to be a “lighthouse” of truth to people around you today.
Thoughts
When our thinking is skewed, the results are tragic. Paul reveals one of the results of distorted thinking in Romans 1:21b. He says “The result was that their minds became dark and confused.” When our minds become distorted, it brings forth deep confusion which leads to spiritual blindness. When we entertain vain philosophies, we’re blinded to the truth of God’s word. These empty thoughts can cause us to lose our spiritual footing. A common example of this is when many teenagers go off to college. They attended church as a child because their parent’s made them go. They were casual about their faith (if they had any faith at all). When they entered college, they took a philosophy or religion class, with a secular professor who attacked the truth of Scripture. The teenager got so impressed with the “Dr.” in front of the professor’s name, and the fact that they wrote a book, that they bought into everything the professor said. It didn’t really matter that the professor was spiritually blinded by their own vain philosophy. The student, after four years of listening to this, comes out of college spiritually blinded and just as confused as ever because they entertained distorted thinking!
We must be very careful that we do not buy into the trend of the culture. In America today, we are just as confused as ever, because we have subscribed to vain philosophies. Our only footing for life is the Word of God, for it is the truth that gives us stability!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes. Romans 1:23