Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful. (Romans 1:21, KJV)

The Bible not only encourages us to give thanks to the Lord but also warns against ungratefulness or unthankfulness. Being unthankful is not just an oversight; it’s a sin of omission. This ungrateful attitude can seep into our relationships with God and others. Let’s explore three warning signs of an ungrateful heart that we might find in ourselves.

1. Ignoring the Value of Others’ Actions: In Psalm 103:1-2, the Psalmist acknowledges and blesses the Lord for His benefits. Yet, sometimes, we might dismiss others’ contributions with thoughts like, “I didn’t need their help anyway.” This attitude, rooted in pride, is dangerous. Appreciating what others have done to us is vital.

2. Failure to Express Gratitude: The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 is a poignant reminder of how rare gratitude can be. Jesus healed ten, but only one returned to thank Him. This story underscores our tendency to overlook the importance of saying thank you.

3. Constantly Wanting More: Proverbs 30:15 describes the leech’s insatiable daughters, “Give” and “Give.” In the same way, we might find our hearts never satisfied, always demanding more without appreciating what we already have or, worse still, even saying thank you for what was already done for us.

We must guard against these manifestations of ingratitude. If we find ourselves undervaluing others, rarely expressing thanks, or constantly craving more, it’s time for us to reassess our attitudes. Our gratitude towards God is often reflected in how we treat those around us. Failing to appreciate the people we see around us can indicate a deeper ingratitude towards God we cannot see.

Meditate

Reflect on whether you’ve noticed any of the above manifestations of an ungrateful heart in your own life.

Apply the Word

Identify something recent someone has done for you. Acknowledge its value, and express your gratitude to it. Similarly, cultivate a habit of thanking the Lord throughout your day for His blessings. For example, have you really thought about what your life would be without the blood of Jesus?

Pray

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any ungrateful tendencies within us and to guide us toward a heart of gratitude.

Recommended

• The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
• What is Thanksgiving?
• The Wonders of a Thankful Attitude
• Thankful “for” and “to”
• Two Fundamental Attributes of a Thankful Spirit
• View All Deshen Daily Devotionals

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