Romans 1:26-32

26: For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27: and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28: And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29: being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30: slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31: without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32: and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

*** 

Paul was still talking about those to whom the wrath of God was revealed against—those who worship creation over the Creator, false gods and idol worship--which their foolish speculations had led them into. The consequence of this was unnatural and impure lusts—especially sexual, which dishonored their bodies.

Sinful desires are a consequence of rejecting God. If we as believers are plagued by sinful desires, we need to look back at our pursuit of God. Are we pursuing Him? To what extent? Paul revealed the things that led to this. He said God “gave them up” to three things. First, the lusts of their hearts in impurity (verse.24). Second, degrading passions (verse.26), and third, a depraved mind to do those things which were not proper (verse.28).

So we see that impure lusts, degrading passions, and a depraved mind are the result of rejecting the Creator--not acknowledging Him, thanking Him, or honoring Him as God. Suppressing truth and even exchanging truth for lies, which results in the worship of idols and images. If we are being plagued by sinful desires, it's time to humble ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to reveal where we’ve gone wrong. He is waiting with open arms for those with humble hearts to come to Him.

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