Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(v21, NIV)

These people Paul is talking about are the people who are idolaters as we read in verse 23. These things he is talking about in verse 21 and 22 are about idolaters. So what is it about idolaters that Paul wants his readers to know? First of all, they became futile in their thinking. They have exchanged the incorruptible God for something that is completely worthless by comparison. When you do that, your thinking becomes futile. Using your brain for something other than God is futile. It is useless and meaningless thinking that comes from one who is an idolater. You may argue that many who do not choose to follow and glorify God can and have use their brains for "good" purposes. It depends on your view of "good". Sure, maybe someone was healed by the use of a doctor's brain or maybe a criminal was arrested because of the use of a policeman's brain. It is also possible that the cure for some disease was discovered by a scientist's brain or maybe children were educated through the use of a teacher's brain. These are all "good" things, but where does it lead in the end? In the end, they'll all just die and go to hell. In our wickedness we are all just glorifying each other and glorifying ourselves. However, these who are being glorified will eventually just die and go to hell. I know it seems harsh, but what's the point? The fact of the matter is that "God is the universe's creator and sustainer plus the only savior; there is no one greater" (Shai Linne). The truth about God has been made known to everyone, yet people suppress the truth in their wickedness. Don't waste your thinking and efforts on anything other than God and his glory. He alone is worthy and anything less is futile.

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

(Daniel 4:28-33, NIV)

John Piper uses this example to explain this futility in thinking. King Nebuchadnezzar has this dream and Daniel interprets it for him. What happens in verses 28-33 is the fulfillment of that dream. King Nebuchadnezzar uses his brain for himself in the glorification of himself. He isn't glorifying God or even thinking about God. God punishes him drives him from among men to become like an animal as was interpreted from his dream. He used his brain like an animal, so God made him to be like an animal.

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

or say to him: "What have you done?"

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

(Daniel 4:34-37, NIV)

That's not the end of the story. Do you not thank or glorify God? Do you live a life glorifying yourself? Did you make the same mistake king Nebuchadnezzar did? Well, reading the rest of the story, king Nebuchadnezzar turned from his ways. Instead of glorifying himself, he looked to heaven and glorified God. As a result, God restored his sanity. There is hope for him who glorifies himself. However, as we read on in Romans, we read about a God who gives people over to sinful desires and shameful lusts. Don't think you have forever and don't think it's a light issue. Give God the glory he deserves and turn from your wickedness. Otherwise, one thing that will happen is that you'll become futile in your thinking.