What does "they were not ashamed" teach about societal desensitization to sin? Setting the Context Jeremiah 6:15 presents God’s indictment of Judah: “Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they are not at all ashamed; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD.” • The prophet speaks to a culture that had grown comfortable with idolatry, injustice, and immorality. • God’s complaint is not merely that sin exists, but that hearts have grown so calloused they can no longer blush at it. Unpacking “They Were Not Ashamed” • Shame is a God-given moral alarm system; when it breaks, society loses an essential deterrent to evil. • “They do not even know how to blush” means consciences have been seared (cf. 1 Timothy 4:2). • The phrase signals a shift from isolated sin to systemic approval of sin—wrongdoing becomes normalized. How Desensitization Happens 1. Habitual exposure – Repeated sin dulls the sting of conviction (Ephesians 4:17-19). 2. Collective endorsement – When leaders and influencers participate, resistance erodes (Jeremiah 5:31). 3. Redefining evil as good – “Those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20) reshape cultural norms. 4. Suppressing truth – Romans 1:21-32 traces the descent: ignoring God leads to celebrating what He forbids. Consequences of Lost Shame • Moral confusion—“Every man deceives his neighbor” (Jeremiah 9:5). • Hardened hearts—sin becomes entrenched, difficult to uproot (Hebrews 3:13). • Inevitable judgment—“So they will fall among the fallen” (Jeremiah 6:15). God’s justice answers persistent rebellion. Restoring Godly Sensitivity • Receive the Word afresh—“Is not My word like fire?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Scripture re-ignites holy fear. • Practice confession—agree with God about sin, reopening the conscience (1 John 1:9). • Cultivate mourning over evil—“Streams of tears flow from my eyes for Your law is not obeyed” (Psalm 119:136). • Surround yourself with truth-loving believers—“Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Takeaways for Today • A society that stops blushing is on a perilous path; believers must keep their hearts tender. • Personal vigilance matters—each conscience strengthened resists cultural drift. • Public witness matters—speaking truth in love can reawaken moral sensitivity (Ephesians 4:15). • Hope remains—God can revive individuals and nations that turn back to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). |
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