What is a reprobate mind?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that those who desire unrighteousness and rebel against God reap the consequence of that mindset: A reprobate mind. The phrase "reprobate mind" is found in Romans 1:28 (KJV), where Paul notes that God gives over to their desires those who hate righteousness. That persistent rebellion against God results in a mind and heart that fails to discern between good and evil. But that concept is not unique to the New Testament. The Old Testament details the many times that Israel persisted in idolatry and other sins and reaped the consequences. One result was separation from God (Isaiah 59:2) but another was a spiritually hardened mind and heart (Psalm 81:11-12; Proverbs 1:29-31). Figures like Saul and Samson are cautionary tales of those whose unrighteousness resulted in the Lord leaving them (though Samson repented). Jesus warned that people love "darkness" because they want to sin. Jesus is the only way to overcome that; those who confess their sin and ask forgiveness will receive it (1 John 1:9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Those who live in persistent rebellion to God are often given over to the unrighteousness they love. Through the psalmist, God expressed the consequences of Israel's idolatry: "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels" (Psalm 81:11-12).
• Proverbs 1 personifies Wisdom, who presents the result of ignoring God: "Because they . . . did not choose the fear of the Lord, . . . therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices" (Proverbs 1:29, 31).
• Isaiah 59:2 indicates the consequences of persistent rejection of God: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Saul and Samson are two examples of this. God's Spirit left Saul because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14, 13:8–14, 15:22-23). Samson's weakness, manifested in his unrighteous behavior and disregard for his Nazarite vow, resulted in the Lord temporarily leaving him, demonstrated through his lost strength (Judges 16:20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In his letter to the Romans, Paul discusses people who "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). He writes, "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper" (Romans 1:28; "reprobate" instead of "depraved" in KJV). Those who practice persistent unrighteousness get more of the same as their heart and mind become corrupted by sin.
• Paul goes on to identify the actions of those with reprobate minds: "They . . . [are] filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice . . . full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness . . . gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless" (Romans 1:29-31). All people sin—including Christians. But a true child of God will repent because they do not want to dwell in sin.
• Jesus noted that people reject Him "because [they] . . . loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil" (John 3:19). Those who love unrighteousness and want to participate in unrighteous deeds develop a mind that eventually cannot discern between good and evil.
• Though God's children may sin, they will not have reprobate minds. Those who are born again (John 3:3) become "new creation[s]" (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we slip into sin, we can confess our sins and seek God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"It's just a little white lie. She'll never know."

"I'll write off that $50 lunch with my friend as a business expense. Everybody does it."

"The office won't miss this ream of paper. Besides, the company can afford it."

Sound familiar? Even seemingly "small" things are actually big problems if they go against what God has deemed right. And those "small" sins often lead to bigger ones. Pretty soon, you're lying to your spouse regularly, using your company card to fill your gas tank for weekend trips, and equipping your home office with work supplies.

Sin is the ultimate "frog in boiling water." What seems minor doesn't stay that way. Sin hardens our minds and hearts, an effect that the Bible indicates God will allow to happen if we remain unrepentant. That's a scary thought since sin also separates us from God.

But the good news is that if we repent, God will accept us back into His loving presence. If you want to step away from sin and toward God, He will not reject that (1 John 1:9). Confess your sins, pray for forgiveness, and experience the freedom of being God's own.

UNDERSTAND

• Romans 1:28 speaks of God giving those who relish unrighteousness over to a "reprobate mind" (KJV).
• A reprobate mind is one that fails to discern good from evil.
• God is always ready to accept and forgive the repentant, even a reprobate mind.

REFLECT

• How do you ensure that you don't make light of sin, even ones that others might think of as minor?
• What do you do to ensure your conscience is formed by God and the truth of His Word?
• When you feel conviction about sin, what do you do, and what does your response reveal about your heart?

ENGAGE

• How can we tell the difference between a hardened heart and someone who is still under conviction but struggling with sin?
• What can Christians do to be a light shining in the darkness of the world?
• How should the hope of repentance and restoration shape the way we talk about people who seem far from God?