EPISODE 0034 | The Wide Path Of Destruction
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0034
In today’s episode, Pastor Stephen discusses the context and implications of Paul's letter to the Romans. He emphasizes the destructive path that begins with suppressing truth, leads to prideful rebellion against God, and ends in self-delusion. This pattern of spiritual decline, seen in ancient Rome, mirrors the issues we face in our culture today. How do we avoid the path of destruction and the spiritual dangers of rejecting truth and embracing pride, which ultimately leads to separation from God?
The Path of Destruction
1. The Suppression of Truth. The truth is always attacked first. We see this happening today even down to the biological level.
Romans 1:18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
The first step in the devil’s strategy is to replace the truth with a lie. Those who support the suppression of truth are always the wicked.
The Process of Deception
1. They will reject natural truth – Truth of Creation
Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
2. They will reject moral truth – Truth of the Bible
John 17:16-18 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
3. They will reject the Spirit of Truth – The Holy Spirit
John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
2. Prideful Rebellion Against God.
Romans 1:21-22 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.
This is Satan’s Purpose, look at The devils fall:
Isaiah 14:12-15 “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.
3. Self-Delusion that leads to death.
Romans 1:28-32 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too
Interested in hearing more in between podcast episodes? Check out the Under God Teaching Series from Vintage Church! Each episode focuses on what the Bible has to say about some of the most political issues in our culture.
