The concept of a reprobate mind is found in the Bible, particularly in Romans 1:28-32 and other passages. Generally speaking, a reprobate or depraved mind refers to a state of moral corruption and wickedness.
The apostle Paul wrote about those who have rejected God and exchanged the truth for a lie. As a result, God gave them over to a “debased mind” (ESV) or a “reprobate mind” (KJV translation). The Greek word is adokimos which means unapproved, unfit, or rejected. When someone continually rejects God and biblical truth, their thinking becomes futile, their understanding darkened. They give approval to things that God calls sinful.
A reprobate mind is one that is morally incapable of discernment between good and evil. Their conscience is seared and their thoughts and behaviors reflect the decayed state of their inner person. They think, speak, and act in ways that go against God’s standards because their minds are depraved and their hearts unchanged.
Characteristics of a reprobate mind include:
- Rejecting God and truth (Romans 1:28)
- Engaging in idolatry and false religion (Romans 1:23)
- Disregarding evidence of God’s existence (Romans 1:20)
- Pride, ingratitude (Romans 1:21)
- Foolishness, misguided thinking (Romans 1:21-22)
- Sexual immorality and impurity (Romans 1:24)
- Covetousness, greed (Romans 1:29)
- Malice, envy, murder (Romans 1:29)
- Strife, deceit, slander (Romans 1:29-30)
- Gossip, insolence (Romans 1:29-30)
- Arrogance, boasting (Romans 1:30)
- Disobedience to parents and authority (Romans 1:30)
- No understanding, untrustworthiness (Romans 1:31)
- Unloving, unmerciful (Romans 1:31)
- Unforgiving, unappeasable (Romans 1:31)
- Knowing God’s decree against sin yet indulging anyway (Romans 1:32)
A reprobate mind is incapable of righteous judgment because the person’s moral compass is so corrupted. They call evil good and good evil, deceiving themselves (Isaiah 5:20). They may appear outwardly moral and religious, but inwardly are “full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:28).
This debased mindset is a consequence of refusing truth and rejecting God. When humans deliberately turn away from Him, He judiciously hands them over to the depravity they choose (Romans 1:24,26,28).
The theological implications of a reprobate mind include:
- It demonstrates the justice of God’s wrath against sin (Romans 1:18)
- It illustrates human depravity and the need for regeneration (Titus 3:5)
- It shows the futility of man-made religion apart from God (2 Timothy 3:5)
- It exposes hypocrisy and false profession of faith (1 John 2:4)
- It reveals the source of much human philosophy as demonic rather than divine (James 3:15)
Examples of a reprobate mind are seen throughout biblical history. Passages that reference or demonstrate it include:
- The wickedness of mankind in Noah’s day (Genesis 6:5)
- The defiance of Pharaoh against God (Exodus 7-14)
- Israel’s idolatry and moral decay (Jeremiah 7, Ezekiel 6)
- The Pharisees’ hypocrisy (Matthew 23)
- The pagan world’s idolatry and immorality (Romans 1)
- False teachers who are “detestable, disobedient and unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16)
Though the reprobate mind is gravely immoral, it is not always obvious to casual observation. Outward religiosity or legalistic morality can mask an unchanged heart. This is evident in Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees who honored God with their lips but not their hearts (Mark 7:6).
Signs that may indicate a reprobate mind include:
- Callousness towards sin, even that which is socially unacceptable
- No genuine remorse for wrong actions or attitudes
- Adaptability and indifference to immoral situations
- Delight in flawed thinking and unwise behavior
- Rejection of spiritual truths and biblical standards
- Superficial religiosity masking inner corruption
- Secretly held heretical beliefs
- Private life in conflict with public profession
The most definitive evidence of a reprobate mind is a lack of transformation and spiritual fruit. Though even true believers struggle with sin, a reprobate is unchanged inwardly by God’s truth and grace.
Scripture warns that those who continually reject God’s truth risk becoming so hardened that their reprobate condition becomes permanent. When the conscience is seared, sensitivity to sin deteriorated, and the heart unrepentant, one may pass the point of no return. Examples include Esau who found no chance to repent though he sought it (Hebrews 12:17), and those in Hebrews 6:4-6 who cannot be renewed to repentance after falling away.
However, only God knows if and when someone has crossed this line. Christians are warned against diagnosing others as having reprobate minds (Romans 14:4, 10-13). Rather than judging hearts, believers should examine their own lives and beg God for mercy toward those in spiritual danger. There is always hope in God’s power to redeem.
The concept of a reprobate mind reminds believers to:
- Earnestly seek God and yield to His truth while there is opportunity (Isaiah 55:6-7)
- Trust in Christ’s redemption, not their own righteousness (Titus 3:5-7)
- Walk in humility, patience and grace toward others (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
- Pray for God’s mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13)
In summary, the biblical concept of a reprobate or depraved mind describes someone in a state of moral decay and corruption. Their sins and flawed thinking patterns continually reinforce each other. Without spiritual intervention and awakening, their condition is hopeless. But God mercifully pursues and reminds sinful humanity to turn to Him while they are able. He redeems and renews those who acknowledge their need and receive Christ’s atonement by faith, even from terrible sin and darkness. There is hope for all who will believe.