The Psalmist (Ps. 1:1) warned us about;
1- Walking in the Counsel of the Ungodly (don't let the world set your course).
2- Standing in the Way of Sinners (don't become comfortable with a disobedient life) and
3- Sitting in the Seat of the Scornful (don't become antagonistic to the will, the way and the word of God).
This downward trek to self destruction follows these three steps;
1- Neglecting the Word of God (by deceiving self with "vain thoughts"),
2- Rejecting the Word of God (by believing "vain imaginations"), and
Objecting to the Word of God (by weaving "vain deceitful philosophy").
Psalms 1:1
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
VAIN THOUGHTS
1 Corinthians 3:18-21
(18) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
(19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
(20) And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
(21) Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
VAIN IMAGINATIONS
Romans 1:21-23
(21) 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.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) 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.
VAIN DECEITFUL PHILOSOPHY
Colossians 2:6-9
(6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
(7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
(9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Romans 1:16-132 with short notes from DLG.
Romans 1:16-32
(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
DLG note...
The gospel has power to save, but only saves those who believe.
(17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
DLG note...
God's saves (justifies) those who live by faith, step after step and day after day.
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
DLG note...
To know the way of the truth does not save if we do not go the way of the truth.
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
DLG note...
God has revealed Himself, His nature, His will, even through nature., as well as through His word, and therefore, all men are answerable before God.
(21) 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.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) 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.
DLG note...
When men exchange the revealed truth of God for their own devices, to suit their own vices, they become fools, who think they are wise.
(24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
DLG note...
God allows our unclean thoughts to pollute and shame our daily lives.
(25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
DLG note...
Foolish men reject God and God's word, but choose to exalt mere man to the place of supreme authority. When men exalt men, God humiliates men.
(26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
(27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
DLG...
The eventual destination of humanism is the sin of homosexuality. To resist the natural order that God has ordained is to reject the rule of God and embrace the judgment of God.
(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
DLG note...
During this time of human probation, earthly testing, this life of temptation, God allows and enables us to choose right or wrong. Our choices lead to deeper commitments and our eventual eternal destination. (see Passage in next comment box).
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
(30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
DLG note...
When we choose to be set free from the rule of God, we become the slaves of darkness.
(32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
DLG note...
As men move further from God, they become more enamored with the ways that are contrary to God and His original plan for man. They become scornful of God and His word and they become despisers of those who do good (Christians).
Romans 2:6-13
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
(12) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
(13) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Before someone says I am preaching salvation by keeping the law, let me share more of what God said through Paul, in the book of Romans. This tells us that those who are saved by grace, through faith, are enabled by God to keep His moral law. We are not saved by keeping the law, but when we are saved, we keep the moral law.
Romans 8:1-14
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Psalms 1:1
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
VAIN THOUGHTS
1 Corinthians 3:18-21
(18) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
(19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
(20) And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
(21) Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
VAIN IMAGINATIONS
Romans 1:21-23
(21) 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.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) 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.
VAIN DECEITFUL PHILOSOPHY
Colossians 2:6-9
(6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
(7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
(9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Romans 1:16-132 with short notes from DLG.
Romans 1:16-32
(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
DLG note...
The gospel has power to save, but only saves those who believe.
(17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
DLG note...
God's saves (justifies) those who live by faith, step after step and day after day.
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
DLG note...
To know the way of the truth does not save if we do not go the way of the truth.
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
DLG note...
God has revealed Himself, His nature, His will, even through nature., as well as through His word, and therefore, all men are answerable before God.
(21) 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.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) 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.
DLG note...
When men exchange the revealed truth of God for their own devices, to suit their own vices, they become fools, who think they are wise.
(24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
DLG note...
God allows our unclean thoughts to pollute and shame our daily lives.
(25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
DLG note...
Foolish men reject God and God's word, but choose to exalt mere man to the place of supreme authority. When men exalt men, God humiliates men.
(26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
(27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
DLG...
The eventual destination of humanism is the sin of homosexuality. To resist the natural order that God has ordained is to reject the rule of God and embrace the judgment of God.
(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
DLG note...
During this time of human probation, earthly testing, this life of temptation, God allows and enables us to choose right or wrong. Our choices lead to deeper commitments and our eventual eternal destination. (see Passage in next comment box).
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
(30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
DLG note...
When we choose to be set free from the rule of God, we become the slaves of darkness.
(32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
DLG note...
As men move further from God, they become more enamored with the ways that are contrary to God and His original plan for man. They become scornful of God and His word and they become despisers of those who do good (Christians).
Romans 2:6-13
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
(12) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
(13) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Before someone says I am preaching salvation by keeping the law, let me share more of what God said through Paul, in the book of Romans. This tells us that those who are saved by grace, through faith, are enabled by God to keep His moral law. We are not saved by keeping the law, but when we are saved, we keep the moral law.
Romans 8:1-14
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
