People applaud sinful behavior because, as Romans 1:32 says, they not only commit evil but also take pleasure in those who do it.
The Bible teaches that people who suppress the truth about God are given over to a reprobate mind, and a result is that they celebrate wrongdoing. Les Feldick points to Romans 1:32 and notes that one commentary renders 'have pleasure' as 'they applaud.'
Romans 1:32 — This verse directly answers the question: knowing God's judgment, they not only do evil but have pleasure in those who do it.
Romans 1:28 — It explains the underlying cause: people refuse to retain God in their knowledge, so God gives them over to a reprobate mind.
Romans 1:28 says, "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." The following verses describe the results: unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful. The chapter then gives the verse that directly explains applauding evil: "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" (Romans 1:32). Scripture does not merely say they tolerate sin; it says they take pleasure in the sinners.
Les Feldick teaches that Romans 1:32 is the clearest biblical explanation for why people applaud evil. He notes that a commentary renders "have pleasure" as "they applaud," meaning people actively celebrate wrongdoing rather than merely accepting it. He connects this to the reprobate mind: when people refuse to retain God in their knowledge, God judicially removes restraints, so they no longer care what people think or what God thinks. Les also emphasizes that this does not make believers superior. He says the old human nature is bent to rebel, and "but for the grace of God" anyone could be in that place. He points out that society is being brainwashed to call evil good and good evil, which he calls a Satanic ploy. He also warns that the church can fall into the same pattern by accommodating sin instead of calling sin, sin.
In Romans 1:28, the Bible says God gave people over to a reprobate mind. Les Feldick explains this as a judicial act in which God removes all restraints. A person then has no inhibition in their personality; they don't care what people think and they don't care what God thinks. The result is conduct that is not natural or normal, and the verses that follow describe the moral breakdown of their community.
No. Romans 1:32 says they "knowing the judgment of God" still commit the same things and have pleasure in those who do them. Les Feldick observes that even with knowledge of coming judgment, the unregenerate mind continues because the old human nature is bent to rebel.
Les Feldick compares the Corinthian church's "glorying" in tolerated sin to the modern church's willingness to accommodate social sins. He quotes the warning that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" and describes how the church often says, "we can accommodate, we can live with that" instead of calling sin, sin.
Les teaches that western civilization is being brainwashed with the concept that black is white, evil is good, and good is evil. He attributes this confusion of values to a Satanic ploy to prepare the world for the Antichrist. This mixture of values is why people applaud what the Bible calls sin.
Reprobate Mind and Removed Restraints
Les teaches that God judicially gives people over to a reprobate mind, removing all restraints so they no longer care what people or God think.
They Applaud
Les points to Romans 1:32, where people know God's judgment yet have pleasure in those who sin, and he notes a commentary renders this as 'they applaud.'
Evil Thinking Continually
Les explains how those whose minds are set on evil can constantly think up wicked, dishonorable things.
Upside-Down Values
Les says civilization is being brainwashed to call good evil and evil good, which he sees as a Satanic ploy.
Pushing God Out
Les teaches that when God is pushed out of thinking, schools, and homes, human nature's evil traits take off generation after generation.
Church Accommodates Sin
Les compares the Corinthian church's glorying in sin to the modern church's pattern of accommodating social sins rather than calling sin, sin.
Not Convenient or Natural
Les explains that a reprobate mind leads to doing things that are not natural or normal, and the next verses describe their community.
Grace and Human Nature
Les reminds believers not to look down on sinners, because but for the grace of God anyone could be in the same place; by grace they can be saved too.
Romans 1:28: 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;
This verse explains the judicial cause: rejecting God leads to a reprobate mind.
Romans 1:32: 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.
This is the key verse showing that people actively take pleasure in those who sin.
1 Corinthians 5:6: Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Les uses this verse to warn that tolerating sin in the church corrupts the whole body.
The Bible presents it as the final step in a downward path: people not only commit such things but also have pleasure in those who do them. Les Feldick notes that this is active cheering, not mere acceptance.
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that by the grace of God, those who are in such situations can be where believers are. He reminds us that but for God's grace, anyone could be in the same place.
Yes, Romans 1:32 says they know the judgment of God yet continue in the sin and take pleasure in others who do it. The knowledge of judgment does not stop them.
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