Follow God, Not the World
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Mar 9, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2023
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. (Romans 1:24)
The word wherefore in this verse means because of this, referring to the previous verses in the chapter that describe how people turned away from God and worshipped created things instead.
People would say, “My god is the sun” or “My god is the moon.” They sacrificed to and worshipped things that had a Creator. They refused to glorify God as being God. They were not grateful for the all the things God had given to them.
Because of this blasphemy, God gave them up to uncleanness. The Greek word used for this phrase is paradidomi, and it means to surrender or yield up. In other words, God let them go. He allowed people to have their own way and follow their own desires, even though it was not His will for them at all. Many times in the Old Testament, we see God giving Israel up to wicked rulers because of the evil choices His people made.
Now, it is important to know that when God gives people over to their own desires; it is not a punishment, but a natural consequence of turning away from Him. Just as a child who refuses to listen to their parents and makes poor choices will suffer the consequences of their actions, so will those who reject God and worship created things.
Romans 1:24 also speaks of dishonoring one's own body, referring to the sinful and degrading practices that people fall into when they turn away from God.
However, when we honor God and follow His ways, we can live in a way that brings honor and dignity to ourselves and all those around us.
Practical Application
We must strive to live in a way that honors and glorifies God in our thoughts, our words, and in our actions. When we fix our eyes on Him and follow His ways, we can avoid the consequences of the world’s system that come with turning away from Him.
