The effects of rejecting God’s authority and its resulting spiritual darkness are not pretty. As one sin leads to another, the results are sad, costly, and damaging. The book of Judges ends with some truly bizarre examples.
But as bizarre as those true stories are, in reality, they could be taken from today’s headlines. Our news is full of murder, even mass murder, sexual immorality, sex trafficking, abortion rights, and demands that we give approval to every sinful lifestyle. I’m not sure where the bottom of it all will be, but just as He did in Noah’s day and just as He did with the Israelites, God will one day say … enough! In the meantime, what should we be doing?
Today’s Readings:
Judges 20 & 21
Psalm 51.12-19
Proverbs 15.1-3
Luke 19.1-27
Spiritual Darkness & Its Bizarre Effects
Judges 20 & 21:
The Bizarre Effects of Rejecting God
John MacArthur says, “Judges 17-21 vividly demonstrates how bizarre and deep sin can become when people throw off the authority of God …”
Can you imagine telling your relatives, we’re sorry there are not any marriageable women around, just kidnap some from the party going on in the next town and we’ll look the other way? Or how about offering your virgin daughter to a bunch of rapists or shaking up your complacent relatives by sending a part of your murdered wife’s body (Jud. 19.22-30) to each family. It makes you wonder about the human race.
But the truth is that while we may not see ourselves as bad as certain other people, we are all bad enough to deserve hell apart from the saving work of Christ (Rom. 3.23, 6.23). And Romans 1.18-32 teaches us that if God were to remove His restraining grace, we would all hit bottom quicker than we think.
Spiritual Darkness
Just look at our nation today.
A decade or two ago few would have believed we would have abortion on demand, legalized same-sex marriage, arguments over gender and bathrooms, or sex-change operations on minors. All those things are symptoms of a nation with no fear of God.
While that is true, it is not because of ignorance:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.
Notice they know the truth but suppress it. They refuse to acknowledge God as God and reject His authority. The result is spiritual darkness.
Increasing Spiritual Darkness
As we read the remaining verses in Romans 1, we can see that increasing spiritual darkness is the natural progression of rejecting God and His authority over us.
When we get to the bottom we find this:
28 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; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 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.
Think about each phrase on that list. It is a summary of things that have become almost commonplace today. And notice the final thing on the list is “approval.” The bottom of the spiral is that even though we know the truth about God and His commands, we give approval to it anyway. That’s the demand today. The pressure on individuals, businesses, cities, states, nations, and even churches to do so is tremendous and continues to grow. And many have already given in to it.
Faithful Witnesses
I don’t know when or if our nation will finally hit bottom, but it does seem that the majority of Americans have begun to approve of many things that God condemns. And I don’t know whether God will allow judgment in the form of some national tragedy, whether Jesus will return soon, or whether God will intervene in some other way. But I do know that we are called to be faithful witnesses to our nation, especially the people in our circle of influence (Acts 1.8b). Like Paul, we need to learn to say:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1.16-17).
Yet while we are called to stand up for the truth, even when it results in persecution, rejection, legal consequences, and financial loss, we are to do it in love. We are not to harshly point a finger in people’s faces, but to point them to our Savior and help them see their need for His grace.
Neither does it mean that we shouldn’t use wisdom (Matt. 10.16).
And when we’re tempted to feel like it’s hopeless, we need to remember that a handful of men and women going out in the power of the Holy Spirit to share the love and truth of God, without TV, radio, computers, planes, or any modern conveniences … turned the known world upside down (Acts 17.6)!
Personal Consequences
I’ve written about this in other posts, but that downward spiral into sin and its bizarre consequences don’t just happen within nations. They take place in individual lives, too. When Romans 1 says, “God gave them over … God gave them over … God gave them up” in the succeeding verses of that passage, it’s a picture of God removing His restraining grace. When that happens, people are given over to their own sinful impulses.
If you would like to read more about this, you can check out these earlier posts:
“Recognizing the Process of Sin”
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 51.12-19:
What God Desires
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise (v. 17).
What God desires is a broken heart. Not one given over to despair, but someone who has come to the end of himself, sees his own sinfulness and need for a Savior, whose heart is tender toward the Word, and with a desire to obey at any cost.
Proverbs 15.1-3:
The Tongue Reveals the Heart
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness (vv. 1-2).
The Bible has a great deal to say about the tongue. It is the great revealer of what is in the heart.
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12.24b).
A soft answer demonstrates patience and mercy for others and has great potential for good. The wise use of knowledge demonstrates a desire to please God rather than using knowledge to harm others, advance our own agendas, or spill everything and reveal our own foolishness.
Luke 19.1-27:
Faithful in Little
And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities’ (v. 17).
Each of us received at least one spiritual gift when we were born again. Sometimes we look at others and the gifts they have with envy. Other times we just don’t understand how God could use us or doubt that we have any real gifts at all. But God can do great things when we allow Him to take our “little” mixed with obedience and a desire to please Him!
What About You?
Are you being faithful with the gifts, talents, and resources that God has given you?
Are you committed to holding to the truth even when it’s unpopular and are you prepared to be salt and light to a lost and dying world that seems to be without common sense or fear of God?
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll look at sin’s invisible hooks and discuss the battle for truth and religious liberty. We’ll also pose the question, “If others were to call you by your character, what would your name be?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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