Four Uncomfortable Words
Romans 1:31 may be one of the easiest verses in the Bible to memorize, but one of the hardest to escape. It consists of four words… four accusations… four uncomfortable mirrors. When we read the latter half of Romans 1, it can be tempting to picture someone else. However, when we reach verse 31 – “foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless” – suddenly, the distance between “them” and “us” may not feel quite so comfortable.
For context, Romans 1:18–32 paints a sobering picture of humanity turning away from God. Paul writes that although people knew God, “they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him,” and that “claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21–22). As they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped created things rather than the Creator, God gave them over to the desires of their hearts (Romans 1:25–28).
Paul then describes the fruit of that rebellion – people become “filled with all manner of unrighteousness” (Romans 1:29), followed by a long list of sinful attitudes and behaviors. Some – such as “murder” or being “inventors of evil” – may be easy to read past with a relieved Whew, that doesn’t describe me! Yet at the end of the list come four striking words that may hit closer to home: “foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless” (1:31).
These words are part of Paul’s description of what rebellion against God produces in fallen humanity. And specifically, Paul is speaking in Romans 1:18–32 about unbelieving humanity. However, we as believers are not immune to displaying these same attitudes when we walk according to the flesh rather than the Spirit. That makes these four words worth paying attention to – not merely as a description of “them” (unbelieving humanity) but as a heart check for us as followers of Messiah Jesus.
When we get to verse 31, it is so brief it can almost be skimmed past (especially considering the long list of sins before it!). But those four words – “foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless” – cover an enormous amount of ground in everyday life. Here are four questions to consider while using Romans 1:31 as a heart check:
Have you ever found yourself being foolish? This can look like trusting our own judgment over God’s wisdom, reacting before seeking God’s will on how we should respond, or repeating choices we know are unwise. And surely there are countless other examples from which none of us is exempt!
Are you ever faithless? This not only describes unbelief, but can also cover vices like unreliability such as broken promises, inconsistent obedience, or saying we trust God while living as though everything depends on us.
Have you considered how you can be heartless? This may look like becoming indifferent to someone else’s pain, withholding compassion, or being too busy or self-focused to recognize people as image-bearers of God.
And last, but not least (and possibly the “harshest” sounding adjective in the verse):
Where do you tend to be ruthless? This one may seem easier to skip over, but may not necessarily mean cruelty in an extreme sense. Ruthlessness can include things like harshness in parenting, unforgiveness in relationships, using our tongues as swords, insisting on our own way, or showing little mercy.
If we are honest, these four words above can hold up a mirror that can be difficult to look into. The latter half of Romans 1 shows us what fills the human heart when God is pushed aside. But Scripture as a whole does not leave us as believers with only what needs to be removed. Walking with Jesus is not merely about becoming less foolish, less faithless, less heartless, and less ruthless; God desires to fill us with something better!
Instead of being foolish, we can pray the LORD will fill us with wisdom from above (James 1:5; 3:17). We can ask God for wisdom and allow His Word to shape the way we think and respond.
Instead of being faithless, we can yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to produce faithfulness in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23).
Instead of being heartless, we can ask God to soften our hearts and give us compassion for those who are hurting, the needy, and the lost (Colossians 3:12).
Instead of being ruthless (whether through word or action) we can pray the LORD will cultivate in us the mercy we have received through Messiah Jesus so that we might extend it to others. (May the only place for anything resembling ruthlessness in our lives be in how seriously we deal with our own sin!)
In conclusion, Romans 1:31 may be only four words long, but it gives us plenty to bring before the LORD. Rather than rushing past this short verse or assuming these attributes only describe someone else, we can allow them to expose the places where we still need the LORD’s transforming work in our lives. And thankfully, God not only shows us what needs to change; through His divine power He supplies everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)!
Perhaps these four uncomfortable words can become four simple prayers: LORD, make me wise; make me faithful; make me compassionate; make me merciful.
As we abide in the LORD day by day, we can trust Him fully to keep shaping us into people who reflect His character more clearly.
Written by Mallory, Life in Messiah Staff
As you walk with the LORD this week, where do you most need His wisdom, faithfulness, compassion, or mercy to shape you?
Furthermore, what would it look like this week to intentionally pursue those things?
Who in your life might experience the fruit of God’s work in you if you grow in these things (coworkers, children, spouse, in-laws, etc.)?