God Gave Them Over To A Reprobate Mind Meaning

Have you ever wondered what happens when a person continually rejects God and persists in their sinful ways?

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul discusses that God gave them over to a reprobate mind, a mind that is so corrupted and depraved that it can no longer discern right from wrong.

This is a sobering and often misunderstood topic, but one that is essential to understand if we are to fully grasp the consequences of rejecting God's grace and mercy.

See also: Bible Verses About The Mind Of Christ

In this article, we will explore what it means to have a reprobate mind, why God may give someone over to it, and what the implications are to an individual's spiritual journey.

The Unrighteous and the Wrath of God

In Romans 1:18, Paul talks about the wrath of God being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The unrighteous here refers to those who reject God and the truth about Him. They do not honor God, nor are they grateful to Him. Their thinking becomes futile, and their hearts become dark.

What Does "God Gave Them Over" Mean?

Paul goes on to say that "God gave them over" to their sinful desires. This phrase is used three times in this passage. It means that God has abandoned them to their sinful desires. As the wicked deserted God, God in turn deserted them, no longer giving them divine direction or restraint, but allowing them to corrupt themselves as they wished. Being given over to one’s sinful desires is a judgment from God.

The Three Things God Gave Them Over To

Paul specifies three things to which God surrendered the wicked:

1. Sexual Impurity: Giving their hearts’ sinful desires free rein, the wicked degraded themselves in sexual immorality (Romans 1:24).
2. Shameful Lusts: Both men and women abandoned the natural sexual functions and committed homosexual acts (Romans 1:26).
3. A Depraved Mind: The result is that “they do what ought not to be done.” The depraved mind without the light of God will naturally run to evil and, unless divinely checked, will work out the full extent of its depravity (Romans 1:28).

Why Did God Give Them Over?

In Romans 1:28, the Apostle Paul describes the sinful behavior of humanity and the consequences that come from rejecting God. He explains that those who reject God and refuse to acknowledge Him will be given over to a "debased mind" or "reprobate mind."

God gave them over to these things because of their choice to continually choose to reject God and His ways, hence their hearts become hardened and their minds become corrupt. At this point, God allows them to follow their own desires and to experience the full consequences of their sinful behavior.

In other words, when people consistently choose to ignore God's commands and refuse to repent of their sins, they may reach a point of no return where they are no longer open to His voice or His guidance. At this point, God may gives them over to their own desires, allowing them to experience the full weight of their sinful choices.

The Result of God Giving Them Over

The result of God giving them over to a reprobate mind is that they become fully given over to their sinful desires and passions. They become consumed by their lusts and are no longer able to distinguish right from wrong. They may even take pleasure in sin and encourage others to sin as well (Romans 1:29-32).

This can lead to a downward spiral of moral decay, as they become more and more entrenched in their sinful ways. They may experience the consequences of their actions, such as broken relationships, health problems, and financial difficulties. They may also face judgment from society or even legal consequences.

Ultimately, if they do not turn away from their sin and repent, they will face eternal separation from God in the afterlife.

The Contrast Between Light and Darkness

As we have seen, the reprobate mind is the result of people suppressing the truth of God and rejecting His authority over their lives. When people reject God, they are left to their own devices and will continue to fall deeper into sin and wickedness.

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, to stand firm in the truth of God's Word, and to share the good news of the gospel with those who are lost. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be compassionate and merciful, and to be examples of Christ in the world.

Key Takeaways

• The reprobate mind is the result of people suppressing the truth of God and rejecting His authority in their lives.
• When people reject God, they are left to their own devices and will continue to fall deeper into sin and wickedness.
• As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, to stand firm in the truth of God's Word, and to share the good news of the gospel with those who are lost.
• We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be compassionate and merciful, and to be examples of Christ in the world.

God Gave Them Over To A Reprobate Mind Bible Verses

1. Romans 1:28 - "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient."
2. 2 Timothy 3:8 - "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."
3. Titus 1:16 - "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
4. Jeremiah 6:30 - "Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them."
5. Jeremiah 8:12 - "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord."
6. Hosea 9:17 - "My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations."
7. Ephesians 4:17-19 - "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."
8. 2 Corinthians 13:5 - "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
9. Hebrews 6:4-6 - "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
10. Proverbs 1:28-31 - "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."

10 Engaging Christian Quotes

1. "The reprobate mind is the ultimate judgment of God on those who reject His truth and refuse to acknowledge His authority in their lives."
2. "The reprobate mind is the end result of a life lived in rebellion against God and His Word."
3. "When people reject God, they are left with nothing but darkness and despair."
4. "The reprobate mind is a tragic and terrifying place to be, but it is the natural consequence of rejecting God and His truth."
5. "The reprobate mind is the ultimate example of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God."
6. "God's judgment is not arbitrary or capricious; it is always just and right, and the reprobate mind is the result of people choosing to reject His truth and live in sin."
7. "The reprobate mind is the result of people hardening their hearts and refusing to repent of their sin."
8. "The reprobate mind is a warning to all of us of the consequences of rejecting God and His Word."
9. "The reprobate mind is the ultimate expression of human rebellion against God and His authority."
10. "The reprobate mind is the natural consequence of people suppressing the truth of God and exchanging it for a lie."

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the concept of God giving someone over to a reprobate mind may seem harsh or difficult to understand at first. However, it is important to remember that this is a result of continued rejection of God and persistent disobedience to His commands.

As humans, we have the free will to make our own choices, but we must also be willing to accept the consequences of those choices.

Ultimately, my prayer is that through repentance and turning back to God, we can avoid the devastating effects of a reprobate mind and experience the abundant life that He offers.

Prayer For God To Heal A Reprobate Mind