Perversion: Distortion of God's Good Design

Perversion is the deviation from what is righteous and God-intended into what is wicked and corrupt. It represents a turning away from the good purpose for which God created all things, twisting what was meant for right use toward wrong ends. At its root, perversion originates in the human heart and is exploited by Satan to mar the image of God in humanity.

The Source of Perversion

God created all things good, yet Satan works to pervert what God has made, twisting it for a wrong end use. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (Jn 10:10). The inclination toward perversion is not external alone; it arises from within. God acknowledged, "Every inclination of man's thoughts and heart is only evil all the time" (Gen 6:5). All perversion is a departure from truth and originates in the heart—the inner control centre that is full of deceit and consequently can be influenced by Satan's temptations (Jer 17:9; Mt 15:18-19). This is why the Bible instructs, "Guard your heart more than any treasure for it is the source of life" and "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Prov 4:23; Rom 12:2).

Areas Where Perversion Is Evident

Perversion or deviation from the God-intended standard manifests across multiple areas of human life, each representing a distortion of what God designed to be good and honouring to Him.

Sexual behaviour (Lev 18:6-24, 20:10-21; Rom 1:27; Eph 4:19; Col 3:5). Any sexual activity outside the marriage union of one man and one woman is a perversion and is condemned by God; those who practice such sins will not inherit eternal life (1 Cor 6:9-10,18; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Thes 4:3; Rev 21:8, 22:15).

Thoughts (Ps 10:4; Mt 5:27-28; Rom 1:28; Eph 2:2-3). As our thoughts are so different to God's, we should give careful attention to our ways, taking captive wrong thoughts and thinking about the good and pure (Isa 55:7-9; Hag 1:5,7; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 4:7-8).

Speech (Prov 10:31). Our speech should be used to praise God, speak the truth and encourage others (Ps 19:14, 120:2, 141:3; Prov 12:22; Eph 4:29). Examples of perverted speech are cursing, gossiping, lying, coarse joking and using foul language (Prov 6:19, 10:18, 12:22, 16:27; Eph 5:4).

Justice (Lev 19:15; Deut 27:19). Justice is perverted by showing partiality and accepting bribes, seeking our own interests at the expense of others' rights (Ex 22:22, 23:1; Deut 27:19; Prov 11:1, 17:23; Isa 1:23; Jas 2:1-9). As God's children we are to exhibit His nature (Isa 1:17; Mic 6:8; Jas 1:27).

The true gospel (Gal 1:6-7; Jud 1:4). There is only one way to eternal life and that is through salvation in Jesus Christ, and the Bible is to be our guide book—coupled with obedience to the Holy Spirit so we are not deceived into false teaching (Jn 14:6; Act 4:12; Eph 2:8-9). It is our responsibility to ensure we receive and walk in the truth (Act 17:11; 1 Jn 3:7; 2 Jn 1:4).

Church doctrine. There are many ideas and beliefs that are not supported by, and in fact are contrary to the teaching of the Bible so are false and misleading. Jesus said, "See that no one leads you astray" as many will come with strange teachings (Mt 24:4-5; Heb 13:9). We should follow the example of the early believers who before they accepted any new teaching examined the Scriptures to ensure that it could be confirmed as true (Act 17:11). The Bible is to be the foundation of our faith.

The Path of Resistance

In all these areas, Satan aims to alter what God has created, and thus pervert or mar the image of God we as humans are designed to carry (Gen 1:26-27; Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 11:7). We are to live by the opposite spirit than the one working in the minds of ungodly people—where Satan promotes pride, we are to walk in humility; where he sows division, we are to pursue unity; where he distorts truth, we are to hold fast to God's Word (Rom 12:21; Eph 4:22-24). The way to resist perversion is to know and cling tightly to the truth, living in a God-honouring way to find true freedom and enjoy a healthy relationship with Him (Ps 24:3-4; Mt 5:8; Gal 5:1).