We Became Fools | Romans 1:18-32

If you look at the world and wonder what has gone wrong, Romans 1:18-32 gives us the answer. Though God revealed Himself to us, humanity rejected Him, and the result has been a slide into deeper and deeper darkness. Later in Romans, Paul describes the progression out of foolishness for those who are now in Christ: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
 
Take-Home Message: Christ’s wisdom is the only antidote to my foolishness.
 
We Became Fools Through…
- Futile Thinking (18-22)
- Humanity’s Progression Toward Futile Thinking
- Revelation (19-20)
- Rejection (21a)
- Result (21b-22)
- A biblical definition of “futile” (Mataioó)– describes the movement from God-given awareness to empty, self-centered thought. In Romans 1:21, it stands as a decisive verdict on humanity’s intellectual and moral collapse: “they became futile in their thinking”. The term captures the tragic exchange of God’s glory for worthless speculation, exposing the hollowness that results when truth is suppressed.
 
- False Worship (23)
 
- Foolish Living (24-32)
- A biblical definition of “give approval” (Suneudokeó) –  To give hearty approval, identify with, feel gratified with. Across its six occurrences, syneudokeō portrays a shared stance—whether righteous or sinful—between individuals or groups. It always implies more than passive agreement; it conveys an active, moral participation that forges communal solidarity around a deed or decision. In Romans 1:32, syneudokeō indicts societies that institutionalize sin by celebrating its practitioners.The term issues a dual summons: resist aligning with evil and intentionally align with righteousness. Christian maturity therefore includes vigilant evaluation of all associations, ensuring that consent is given only to what honors the Lord.
 
Christ Makes Us Wise Through…
- Renewed Thinking (Romans 12:2a)
- Reasonable Worship (Romans 12:1)
- Righteous Living (Romans 12:2b)