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Romans 1:21b–22 “…their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…”

Think

Some of the most dangerous lies aren’t the ones we hear—they’re the ones we tell ourselves. Paul says that when people stop glorifying and thanking God, something begins to shift beneath the surface. Their thinking becomes futile. Their hearts grow dark. And worst of all? They still believe they’re wise.

This is spiritual tragedy: to be completely lost and still think you’re heading in the right direction. We live in a world that celebrates being “enlightened.” Having open minds. Challenging old beliefs. Creating your own truth. And on the surface, it sounds compelling. But Paul shows us what happens when wisdom is divorced from worship. When knowledge becomes self-referential. When truth is no longer anchored in God, but in opinion, instinct, or popularity.

The result? You don’t get clarity. You get confusion. Your thinking may sound deep, but it becomes empty. Circular. Detached from what actually gives life.

Imagine trying to use a compass that points to itself instead of north. It might spin. It might move. But it will never lead you home. That’s what happens when we claim wisdom without surrender. We become the reference point—and when we do, the map is already broken.

Paul’s language here is sobering. He doesn’t say their hearts were simply misguided. He says they were darkened. Like lights being slowly dimmed until you’re walking blind but convinced you see clearly.

This is not about intellectual ability. It’s about spiritual orientation. A person can be brilliant and still be blind. You can accumulate degrees, quote philosophers, read all the right books—and still miss the foundational truth that your mind was made to be shaped by your Maker.

It’s like cutting the power to a lamp and then complaining about the darkness. The lamp was never the source. It only works when it’s connected. That’s what we are. Not the source of wisdom, but the vessel. And when we unplug from God—through pride, ingratitude, or defiance—our lives may still flicker for a while. But the light begins to fade.

And yet, Paul says people in this state claim to be wise. They have the language. The confidence. The platform. But not the clarity. They think they’re walking in the light, but they’re living in a fog. And here’s the dangerous part: they often sound convincing. Foolishness disguised as wisdom is one of the enemy’s oldest tactics.

Think of the Garden of Eden. The serpent didn’t come with chaos. He came with questions. “Did God really say…?” It sounded like thoughtful reflection. Like honest inquiry. But it led to death. All he needed was for Adam and Eve to second-guess what God had already made clear. And he’s been using the same strategy ever since. Paul’s warning is not just for them—it’s for us.

It’s possible to grow up in church, read your Bible, attend small groups, and still let your heart grow dark. It happens when you rely more on your logic than on God’s voice. When you prioritize being right over being humble. When you lean into cleverness instead of obedience. Wisdom becomes performative, not transformative. But there’s good news. A darkened heart doesn’t have to stay dark. Light still breaks through. It just requires a posture most people resist: surrender.

You don’t get wisdom by claiming it. You get it by receiving it. Scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). That doesn’t mean being afraid of God. It means living in reverent awe of him. Keeping him at the center. Trusting that he knows more than you do—even when it’s uncomfortable.

If your thoughts feel tangled, your beliefs uncertain, your clarity gone—it may not be an intellectual issue. It might be a spiritual one. You don’t need to read more books. You need to reconnect to the source.

God is not asking you to stop thinking. He’s inviting you to think differently. To anchor your wisdom in worship. To let truth shape your mind—not culture, not pressure, not ego. And when that happens, your thoughts get clearer. Your heart gets lighter. You don’t have to fake wisdom. You can walk in it.

Apply

Today, ask this honest question: am I building my beliefs around God’s truth or my own comfort? Write down one area where your thinking has drifted from Scripture. Don’t justify it—just name it. Then ask God to help you re-anchor. Surrender is the way back to wisdom.

Pray

God, I confess that I’ve tried to be wise without you. I’ve trusted my instincts over your Word. I’ve let pride shape my thinking instead of your truth. Forgive me. I don’t want to live in a fog. I want to walk in your light. Shape my thoughts. Purify my heart. Let your wisdom guide every step. In Jesus’ name. Amen.