GOD TURNS MEN OVER TO BE SLAVES OF THEIR LUSTS! By Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: Romans 1:24 – "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves."
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Introduction: A Warning to the Blind and Proud
In this world, many have become enslaved to their desires and greed. They proclaim their wealth and comfort as blessings from God, but in reality, they are walking in the curse of their own lusts. It is the Living God who gives men over to their desires when they reject His ways, allowing them to be consumed by their covetousness. The truth is, those who desire the things of this world above God are being led astray. The comforts and prosperity they claim as blessings are, in fact, the fruits of their own destruction.
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The Deception of Prosperity and Blessings
Romans 1:25 – "Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
Men today are deceived by their own greed and lust. They claim that their success is the result of God’s blessing, but they are blinded to the truth. The wealth they accumulate and the luxuries they indulge in have become idols that enslave them. They are so consumed by their desires that they fail to see the reality of their situation. What they believe to be blessings are, in fact, curses. They have turned their backs on God and, as a result, He has turned them over to their own desires.
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Slaves of Lust and Idolatry
Ephesians 4:18 – "Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."
When men and women turn from God and pursue their own pleasures, they become slaves to their lusts. The idols they worship—whether they are material possessions, fame, or power—hold them captive. They may boast of their riches and status, but in reality, they are imprisoned in a life of constant striving for more, never finding satisfaction. This false pursuit of prosperity leads them further away from the true blessings of God.
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The Dangers of Loving the World More Than God
1 John 2:15-17 – "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
The love of the world and the pursuit of its pleasures is a deadly trap. It leads men to focus solely on their immediate desires, disregarding their eternal souls. The things of this world—wealth, fame, and power—are fleeting. Those who chase after them will ultimately find themselves empty, with nothing lasting to show for their efforts. They are destined to be disappointed and undone by their choices, as the things they loved more than God will be their undoing.
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God’s Wrath Against the Wicked and Their Idols
Psalm 115:4-8 – "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them."
God will not allow His people to worship idols and live in sin forever. There comes a point when He turns men over to the desires of their hearts, allowing them to be consumed by their own lusts. They will find themselves enslaved, bound by the very things they sought after. In His wrath, God will expose the emptiness of their pursuits and bring them to ruin. The idols they trusted in will be powerless to save them, and they will be left in despair.
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The Folly of Trusting in Material Gain
Matthew 6:19-21 – "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The pursuit of material gain and the worship of wealth will ultimately lead to destruction. What men store up in this life will not last; it is temporary and subject to decay. But the treasures of heaven—faith, righteousness, and eternal life—are everlasting. When we seek God’s will and live according to His ways, we lay up treasures that will never fade away. The rich man who trusts in his wealth is doomed, but the one who trusts in God’s provision will be secure forever.
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Summary and Conclusion
Men who are blinded by greed and lust are living in deception, thinking that their material gain and worldly success are blessings from God. But in truth, they have been turned over to their own desires and are imprisoned by their lusts. Their idols—whether wealth, power, or fame—will ultimately fail them, leaving them with nothing of eternal value. We must recognize the danger of loving the world and its fleeting pleasures more than we love God.
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Call to Action
It is time to turn away from the idolatry and greed that have captivated our hearts. We must seek the things of God, not the things of this world. We are called to live humbly and walk in God’s ways, not seeking the approval of the world but the approval of our Heavenly Father. Let us set our hearts on eternal treasures and live in the light of God’s truth, free from the bondage of lust and greed.
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Final Word of Encouragement
Remember, God’s mercy is available to all who humble themselves before Him. If you have been caught in the trap of materialism and selfish desires, turn to God and ask for His forgiveness. Seek His guidance and live in His righteousness, for His way is the only way to true peace and eternal life. Thank Him, praise Him, and live for His glory.
