Pastor Barnhart,
Looking through this grim description of a heart of stone, it does seem like a downward spiral. It is also sort of a series of cycles that happens in life if someone remains estranged from Christ.
In verse 21-rather than giving glory to God,or being thankful .....they became vain....this darkness leading them to "profess" themselves to be wise,
they proceed to dishonour God.......leading to God's judgement upon them in the form of sodomite sin,lust and uncleaness.
The judgement of God upon a person,instead of being given grace....leads to more sin, bitterness , unthankfulness. This cycle of sin repeats itself in the individual much the same way there were 7 cycles of sin in Israel in the book of judges.
I think your idea is correct in that verses 29-32 show not signs of let up,but almost amplify the sinful desires of the unbelieving heart.
It is also reminecent of those reprobate persons described in Revelation 16:9-11
Quote:
9And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
10And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
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