In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul teaches the progression of sin away from godliness and towards a reprobate mind (a person abandoned to sin; one lost to virtue and religion).  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Romans 1:21). In the previous verse, we are told that everyone knows there’s a God because creation “screams” (my version) His name! “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

If you notice the first step away from God and to a reprobate mine is “they glorified him not as God.” Every single person knows without a doubt that there is a God but they decide to become their own god because they want to live as they please so they refuse to give glory to God as their Creator.

The second step towards a reprobate mine is not being thankful. “We have never heard of any psalm or hymn composed by any heathen poet or philosopher in honour of the true God. It is observable, that thankfulness to God for his mercies, is here represented as a principal branch of religion, and undoubtedly no principle can be nobler, nor can any have a greater or more extensive influence” (Benson Commentary).

Did you notice that last phrase? “…nor can any have a greater or more extensive influence.” Are you thankful, women? Do you wake up and thank the Lord each day for His many blessings? Do you thank Him that He promises to work out ALL things for our good? Do you thank Him for delivering you from the wrath to come that we all deserve? If you want to have a powerful influence with your family and others, be thankful. Don’t allow the news of the day to frighten you. Go back to the Good News of the Gospel that never changes and gives abounding blessings! Thank God every single day for His great mercies and love towards you and live in thankfulness. Teach your children to be thankful.

So much of what is wrong with our nation is unthankfulness. Many people want what others have. They expect to get things for free and without working hard. An entitlement attitude is the opposite of being thankful and on the way to having a reprobate mind. Even having a victim mentality is a dangerous way to live. We are to love and forgive freely no matter what has happened to us since victimhood keeps us in bondage to what happened to us but thankfulness sets us free. How can a wife win her lost husband if she wallows in victimhood instead of being thankful? Thankfulness is what will draw him to her, not bitterness or unthankfulness.

The third step towards a reprobate mind is becoming “vain in their imaginations.” “Absurd, stupid, and ridiculous in their reasonings, concerning God’s nature and worship; entangling themselves with a thousand unprofitable subtleties, which only tended to alienate their minds more and more from every truly religious sentiment and disposition” (Benson Commentary). Where do you evolution, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and all the other foolish -isms come from? In their vain imaginations and this is why God commands that we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and renew our minds with truth.

The educational system of our day is teaching students to become “vain in their imaginations” and it is getting worse by the day. “Refusing to surrender our children to an inept, unbiblical, anti-Christian educational system is not ‘running and hiding;’ it is obedience to God. There are bars, abortion clinics, and strip clubs that need to see the ‘light of Christ,” too. However, I’m not sending my children there. The state has no biblical or constitutional right to educate my children (or anyone else’s for that matter). Moreover, the educational system is corrupt. My job is to oppose it, not surrender to it. There is ZERO biblical support for Christian parents sending their children to an anti-Christian government institution for 14,000 hours of indoctrination… ZERO! On the other hand, there is plenty of scripture that makes it clear that the training of the mind is to take place under the Christ’s lordship.” (Voddie Bauchaum)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8)

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane andvain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:20, 21).

Please, mothers, don’t allow your children to grumble and complain but to be thankful instead and don’t allow a government-run institution steal your children’s joy and give them vain imaginations about foolish things. Raise them up in the wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord, hating what is evil and clinging to what is good, and hiding God’s Word deeply in their hearts so they won’t sin against Him.

***If you want to study Romans deeply and learn all about your new life in Christ, I encourage you to slowly listen to Michael Pearl teach through this amazing book of the Bible!