The Sins of a Reprobate Mind

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

We often classify sins as big or little. Big sins would include things like murder and adultery. Little sins might include things like pride and backbiting. Yet, a close look at Romans chapter one lets us know that God’s viewpoint of sin is much more complex than ours. According to the Lord, a person who has been given over to a reprobate mind is capable of all these sins. The passage goes on to tell us that those “which commit such things are worthy of death” (Romans 1:32). Imagine that! [The Lord views backbiting as a sin just as wicked and vile as murder.] Not only does He find those guilty who do the backbiting, but He will also judge those that “have pleasure in them” that do the actual backbiting.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): David wanted his words to be acceptable in God's sight (Psalm 19:14). Harming a person by our words is not acceptable to God. It is as serious to the Lord as physically harming someone or disobeying our parents.

• (For everyone): How much do you think that God hates backbiting? Do you think He is just as angry with us when we listen to backbiting as He is with the one doing the backbiting?

• Would you have thought that God would list backbiting with murder, fornication, and hating Him? Does this show you the importance of avoiding this wicked sin?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask the Lord to give you His hatred for backbiting.

• Ask God to help you find no pleasure in harmful words.

SONG: What Then, Shall Christians Sin

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Backbiting