Their Foolish Heart Was Darkened

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:21-23)

Last time we looked at holding “the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). They knew God but “they glorified him not as God.” As creator, ruler, sustainer, and caretaker of the universe, it only makes sense that we recognize Him for that... but we do not. He provides us with all our needs, but we are not thankful. Our lives should be seasoned with thanksgiving.

Vain in Their Imaginations

Humanity “became vain in their imaginations.” They rejected what they knew to be true and were consumed with foolish, useless thinking. The grand heights of heaven and eternity were dismissed in selfishness. These “imaginations,” which contrast with the truth, supplanted reality in their minds, “and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Here we clearly see the progression of human society as it got further away from Eden. Without God, we see thousands of religions and worldviews popping up which do not reflect any truth of the God of the Bible. There is confusion, hopelessness, and fear.

They Became Fools

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” When I read this verse, it reminds me of when I was in college as a new believer, taking a philosophy class. The teacher decided to take a whole class period to take portions of Leviticus and mock it. He really believed he was wise, laughing at the Bible and the God who wrote it. He professed to be wise, but he truly was a fool. I do not say that lightly, and do not wish anything on him except that he would be saved. But if he is anything now like he was then, he remains a fool.

Such fools have forgotten God. They write him off as non-existent or unknowable. In either case, they replace God, who is holy, righteous, and perfect, and recast him as a mere mortal creature. God created people, who in turn create gods that are mere created objects. From the animist in the remote jungle, to the industrialized westerner, they all have done the same thing. They have created gods to manipulate in some way in order to get them what they need, be it food and shelter to luxury and comfort. This was very true of me as pagan teenager, worshipping false gods, wanting to succeed in my endeavors.

When people get to this point, we will see next that God then responds by giving people over to exactly what they want. As dismal as it may seem for people to reject God, it gets even worse as God begins to reject them. Please note, before we proceed, that people first rejected God. Only then, did God start to reject people.