Ephesians 4:17-19 and Romans 1:21,24 offer a parallel description of the Gentile world who had a sense of right and wrong but did not allow Jehovah God to rule their thoughts and actions. Following the promptings of their own desires, their decisions often led them into corrupt and vile actions as God would deem it.
Ephesians 4:17 speaks of the “futility of their minds, whereas Romans 1:21 says they became futile in their thinking. This describes life without God as being empty or purposeless. Their life had no meaning and direction as there is not real point to any present action or future consequences. If goodness is not better or worse than evil, then the only thing left for humans is to snatch every pleasure that crosses our view without being caught up in the consequence of actions or the meaning in anything.
Verse 18 reads that they were darkened in their understanding. Romans 1:21 reads, “their senseless minds were darkened.” The conscience which may have signaled certain actions as wrong no longer worked. The failure to distinguish good and evil is called, “darkness” because there is no light at all. Paul would further describe their condition as being “alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of heart.
Verse 19 reads, “…they have given themselves up to licentiousness.” Romans 1:24 reads, “God gave them up to …. impurity.” One says that they had given themselves up, while the other says that God gave them up. This same principle is similar to the example of Pharoah who hardened his heart, while the same text tells us the God hardened his heart. God had spoken, “Let my people go.” When God speaks, he opens the way for human obedience or rebellion. The word of God has the same effect any time God’s will requires the obedient response of humankind. If God doesn’t speak, and thereby reveal His will, no one will give themselves up to licentiousness and no one hardens their heart. But, He has spoken and there is light and darkness so that any response to Him will declare the character of heart in us. Like the sun, the same heat is applied, but its effect will have different results, depending on what receives it. The sun will melt the wax but harden the clay. The only difference is in the character of the two objects that are heated. God’s word has the same effect. The difference is in the heart of the individual receiving His word. Human disobedience is tied to consequences. It is a principle that is set up from the beginning that the soul who sins will die. As already noted, when the heart of an individual rejects God, there is no moral code that holds one from falling down the spiral path to all manner of debauchery and sexual licenses.
Two other conclusions can be drawn from these thoughts. The first concerns the nature of sin that spirals into the deeper clutches of darkness and evil. Sin is progressive and leads one further and further away from God. God gives them up to pursue their vile affections. A second principle taught in these verses is that God doesn’t run after us, nor force his will upon us. Like the prodigal son, He is always receptive to one who wants the family tie and security of the home or who returns after a long journey to explore a sinful life. But, he doesn’t run after us, nor force his will upon us. He has given us the power of choice. Once a repentant sinner resolves to humbly come to Him for forgiveness, he is anxious to wrap His loving arms around him or her and shower them with the blessings of home.