A debased mind is that mind that does not have the capacity to retain the knowledge of God. It is not as if God made their minds to conform to this particular reality, but these people became debased in their minds simply because of the choices they make or the rules of life that they chose to abide with which negate everything that has to do with God.

 

There are two categories of people in the world today. The first category of people is those who look for every means to doubt the existence of God even though everything around them, the work of creation; and all that they could see with their two naked eyes testifies that God exists. But because they do not want to submit themselves to the fact that God exists, or bring themselves under His leadership or commands; they look for every means to doubt His existence. Romans 1:18-20 gave us a vivid picture of these group of people. It says:

 

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” What truth is he talking about here? The truth that God exists and that everything around them suggests to the fact that there is God who made all things perfect and beautiful; the galaxies, the milky ways, the heaven and the earth and all that is in it. But still, they reject the fact that there is God. 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…”

 

The second category of people are those who knew God exists but are not satisfied about the fact that God exists in the spiritual realm. In John 4:24, the Bible says: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” But this category of people would rather prefer they see God face-to-face, interact with Him one-on-one and all of that. I believe you remember the story of Babel in Genesis 11; their plan was to build a tower that would reach the heavens so that they could perhaps go to God in order to see Him God face-to-face.

 

And so, because of this fact, the people in this category would look for every means to create an image in the physical realm that would give them a sense that they are talking or canvassing with God. And this is what exactly gives birth to idolatry or idol worshipping. If you read from verse 21 of Romans 1, this was exactly what Paul was talking about. He said:

 

“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, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”

 

God hates idolatry with a passion. Leviticus 19:4 says: ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the Lord your God. Anything that would replace God in your heart or that would become an object of worship has automatically become an idol. To some people, money is their idol. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” To some people, material things is their idol. Revelation 9:19-20 says: “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

 

The reason why I am emphasizing on this part is simply because many believers are subtly falling victim of this idolatry worship unknowingly. Although they claim they have given their hearts to God, but there is an idol lurking up somewhere in their hearts that they have not let go.

 

So, if humanity would refuse to retain God in in their minds, because of the choices that they make, God would also be comfortable to give them over to a debased mind or perverted mind as recorded in Verse 24-30.

 

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 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.

 

Somebody may be thinking: why will God give people over to a debased mind or perverted mind? The reason why God would do that is very simple. Number one: Because such minds would rather embrace a lie than follow the truth. 2 Timothy 3:8 says: Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

 

Number two: Because such minds would rather embrace unrighteousness rather than follow after righteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 says: The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

God created the human mind and that mind is supposed to be God-dependent. You cannot have truly the mind of God and that mind will refuse to retain God in it. You cannot have the mind of God and all that that mind wants to do is evil always. So, in verse 24, the Bible says Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in verse 26, the Bible says God gave them up to vile passions and in verse 28, the Bible says God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. So, in other words, God says “since your mind will not retain me but evil always, let that mind be subject to what it wants.”

 

So, the root cause of debased minds is simply because such minds have refused to retain the knowledge of God in them. If your mind knows everything, can invent everything, can retain everything and that mind does not have the knowledge of God in it, that mind has known nothing other than trouble and confusion. Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind stayed on you because he trusts in you.” So, any mind that will not stay on God will have trouble and unrest perpetually simply because it has refused to retain God in it.

 

The Advantages of Retaining the knowledge of God in Our Minds

 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:1-2

 

1. The very first advantage of retaining the knowledge of God in our minds is that we are able to prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God. How does this happen? As we daily renew our minds to the word of God and to the knowledge of His will, everything that has to do with impurity or that may want to hinder the knowledge of the truth of the word of God in us will be pushed out. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

 

2. When We Retain the knowledge of God in Our Minds, We Are Able to Walk in All His Fulness

 

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

Colossians 2:8-10

 

“to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:19

 

The fullness of God talks about all that God is to us, His very nature. And the Bible makes it clear to us in Colossians 2 that that fulness dwells in Christ and that we are complete in Him, Christ. No wonder the apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:5 “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” Jesus had the mind of God and He walked in all the fulness of God. Even though He walked in the fullness of God, the Bible says “he did not consider it robbery to be equal with God…” and yet, He did not do that. The Bible says further that “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.”

 

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

 

It takes the knowledge of God to be able to know this eternal truth.

 

3. Retaining the knowledge of God in our mind helps us to Navigate Life’s challenging terrains

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

 

The Disadvantages of Not Retaining the knowledge of God in Our Minds

 

- Wrong Mindset

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. ⁸ So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8

 

- Wrong Belief System

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

 

- Wrong Living

It takes having the knowledge of God in our mind to live properly. The moment that knowledge is taking away, life would be lived purposelessly and without meaning because the gateway to our soul is our mind. So, if we are ever going to live right, we need to consciously retain the knowledge of God in our minds.

 

I believe you have learnt something!

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!

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