When God Gives People Over to Sin (Romans 1:28–32)

By Dave Jenkins | Servants of Grace Podcast Series: Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything Scripture: Romans 1:28–32

Romans 1:28–32 shows what happens when God gives people over to a debased mind. Paul brings the sins we grieve in others and the sins we excuse in ourselves before the same holy God. Pride, envy, gossip, and deceit all appear in his account of what follows when people refuse to acknowledge their Creator.In this episode of the Servants of Grace podcast, Dave Jenkins continues our verse-by-verse study of Romans. Paul traces the effects of rejecting God through our thinking, our relationships, and what we are willing to approve. As Paul turns from Romans 1 to Romans 2, he calls us to face our own sin and look to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and renewal.

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When God Gives People Over to a Debased Mind

In Romans 1:28, people refuse to acknowledge God, and He gives them over to a debased mind. God judges sinners by handing them over to the rebellion they have chosen. As sin distorts our judgment, we begin to excuse what God condemns and treat our desires as the final authority.Verses 29–31 show how this reaches everyday life. Envy resents a neighbor’s good, deceit destroys trust, and gossip damages fellowship. Rebellion against God shows itself in how we speak to and about the people around us.

From Practicing Sin to Approving It

Romans 1:32 brings Paul’s description of rebellion to its conclusion. People know that sin deserves God’s judgment, yet they practice it and approve of others who do the same. We see this when we excuse a cruel remark because we agree with the person who made it or pass along gossip under the guise of concern.In Romans 2:1–3, Paul turns to the person who judges. We can condemn a public scandal and then speak harshly to our spouse as soon as we put the phone down. Paul’s words bring our own conduct and motives under the scrutiny of God’s Word.

In This Episode

• What God’s judgment means in Romans 1:28.
• How a debased mind shapes what we believe and how we live.
• The damage pride, deceit, and gossip do to our relationships.
• How the approval of sin sets up Paul’s turn to the person who judges.
• The forgiveness and renewal Jesus Christ gives to sinners.

Every Sinner Needs the Grace of Christ

Jesus Christ lived the righteous life we have failed to live, bore our judgment at the cross, and rose bodily from the dead. All who repent and believe in Him receive forgiveness. The Savior who justifies His people also gives them His Spirit to renew their minds and teach them to love their neighbors.

Responding to God’s Word

Dear Christian, bring the sin you’ve learned to excuse into the light. Confess it to the Lord, seek help from faithful believers in your local church, and depend on the Holy Spirit as you put it to death. As you speak about sin and share Christ with others, remember how much you depend on His grace.

Continue Through Romans

Explore the Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything series or follow the study on the Servants of Grace YouTube channel.Previous message: Disordered Desires and the Hope of the Gospel (Romans 1:26–27).