Reprobate Minds

 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting." Romans 1:28

Debased in the KJV is the word reprobate. God gave a God rejecting world over to a reprobate mind. What does this mean? The word reprobate literally means to fail the test. It is a word from the metallurgy world. The idea is to test a precious metal to see if it is real or fake. If it is found to be fake it is rejected and looked down upon.

"Thy silver is become dross..." Isaiah 1:22

This word is then applied to people who, having been tested by God, are rejected by God.

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16

So God tests people in various ways. He tests conduct. He tests motives. He tests attitudes. He tests knowledge. He wants to see how we measure up to His standards. The mind which God cannot approve must be rejected. God makes righteous judgement so that we are without excuse.

The NKJV say that a reprobate mind will do things which are not fitting. They will do things that are crazy or that do not make sense. They will come up with wacky ideas that make society scratch their heads.

One more thought. We can do things to guarantee that God will accept us.

"Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?" 2Cor. 13:5

If God tests us, you can be sure that He tests everyone, saved or not.

MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN. You are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.