Sin makes people stupid, and this explains the world we live in

As I have mentioned before, it is my natural inclination and disposition to be interested in and observe human behavior.  I like to study society.  With the advent of computers and the internet, this exercise becomes even easier and the pool much larger. There have been several tragedies recently in the United States, and the process goes like this: bad event, astonished reaction, bewilderment, perplexity, an effort to legislate morality.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  Nothing really changes, or if anything it gets worse.  I have even observed professing Christians falling into wonder about why the world is the way it is.

In some discussions with my husband this week about the state of the world and the general response to it, a few points were crystal clear.

First, a casual assessment of the world is proof positive of Romans 1.  The majority of humanity is unregenerate (not saved) and thus they are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1 again).  You cannot make sense of the world and its events if you refuse to acknowledge the problem of evil and sin.

Unsaved persons do not want to acknowledge that there is a God who they are accountable to.  Nor do they want to admit they are sinners.  Therefore, when something bad happens, instead of recognizing the actual issue (evil exists, all are sinners) they are baffled, puzzled, and confused.  

Next, in an effort to remedy a spiritual issue without acknowledging it is one or that God exists, they try to legislate morality.  It reminds me of Adam and Eve who tried to cover their sin with fig leaves, attempting to make themselves presentable to God on their own.  Is there moral law, and should we abide by it and enforce it?  Yes.  But you can’t make a rule for every little thing, trying to batten down the hatches in an attempt to right the world all the while ignoring the central issue: the darkened heart of man. 

Additionally, because humanity has sin-sick brains, the application of legislating morality is not consistent or rational: guns are the problem; killing unborn babies is a “woman’s right”.  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 explains how sin makes it impossible for people to think straight; it literally makes one stupid.  Verse 14: “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”  

There is no wisdom apart from understanding the Truth, and one cannot know the Truth apart from God.  There is no fixing this world through the efforts of mere men.  You can’t legislate the sin out of society.  The problem is sin, and the answer is regenerated, supernaturally changed hearts, one individual at a time. And only God can do that.  Even if every single person were born-again, there would still be sin until the Lord returns and we are glorified (our sin-nature taken away forever).  

The central issue for humanity is a heart of rebellion. That is the crux of it.  Every single thing boils down to people rebelling against God, whether or not they admit it. At the root of every problem, and the center of every tragic evil event, is a sinful person who does not want to submit to the authority of God.  It is a wonder He saves any of us.  That is why the greatest miracles still happen.

Every time God draws an individual to Himself and grants them repentance, belief, and faith, an incredible miracle has occurred!  Thinking on these things just makes me long all the more for the day when we are with Christ in His eternal kingdom.  What a day that will be. 





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