The View of Ingratitude

The downward spiral of humanity starts with a sin of omission rather than commission. The darkness entered in at first, not because of what we did, but because of what we did not do.

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking because futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

Because we did not give thanks, our hearts were darkened to the glory of God.

Ingratitude is the entryway into idolatry (Romans 1:21-23).

It dulls the mind to the goodness of God. It dims the eyes to the bounty of Eden. It distorts the soul toward a desire for the one forbidden tree.

Humanity’s plunge into “every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity” started with a simple failure to give God thanks (Romans 1:29).

When your soul starts to spiral into darkness, you can likewise trace the source back to the absence of gratitude. 

Are you beginning to crave what God has forbidden? Does your outlook in Christ seem dull? The garden of grace has disappeared from view only because you have neglected gratitude.

Thanksgiving opens your eyes again. It expands your sense of the beauty of your surroundings. It cuts off the sinful craving for the undefinable “more” with the satisfying sweetness of the eternal “now.”

God’s path for you is the reverse of Romans 1. With “thankfulness in your heart,” you can grow into an ever-increasing awareness of Eden’s supply.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Because Christ has silenced the lies of the serpent and reopened the gates of eternal life, you can live always in the illumined perspective of thanksgiving.

Combat the dark with a dogged practice of giving thanks. Every moment of gratitude is a linked lamppost in the way of clear communion with God.