There is alot of, shall we say, nonsense in the world today. Much malice back and forth in a "get even" or "its all about me" society. I think this lesson outline will show how the word "depraved" is alive and causing harm in society.
Romans 1
God's Wrath Against Mankind
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, 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. 29They 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, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Depravity in Society Analog of Modern times to Paul’s Time
Depravity=Ability to do violence to fellow man
God’s Plan
· He has revealed himself by the knowing that there is a greater way of the universe. (18-19)
· The awe of creation and the order of nature.
· so that men are without excuse. (20) with out the word of God, people know the creator.
How He reveals Himself to us.
· Through the glory of the creation
· Through the Holy Spirit (comfort, courage, wisdom)
· Through his word
· Through Miracles
Humility in the Spirit
· Expected proper attitude to God- gratitude and thanksgiving.
· {They} Denied The Glory of the Spirit
Boastfulness of Man due to denial of God
· Their thinking became futile
· The gave their hearts to foolishness
· They began to worship man made idols.
· Did violence to the natural ways of God concerning sexuality
Result- God gave them:
· Depraved mind- predisposed to violence
· Envy
· Murder
· Strive (Drama)
· Gossip
· Deceit
· Malice
Their actions
· Gossiping
· Insolence
· Inventive ways of doing evil
· Disobedient to authority (parents)
· Without Faith
· Ruthless
· Without Sense or Wisdom
How to prevent this situation
· Prayer communication with God. 1 Thessalonians 5 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench the Spirit;
· Read God’s word 2 Timothy 3
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
· Go To Church Regularly 1 Chronicles 16 23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
· Identify the enemy 1 Peter 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
· Encourage each other- 1 Thessalonians 5 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Proverbs 12
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
