A reprobate mind is a state of mind void of the voice and light of God, it is a state of mind plagued with darkness. In my opinion, it is a scary and dangerous place to be. Apostle Paul describes this state of mind as one characterized by sheer wickedness, foolishness, and futility – Romans 1:21-25. In summary, an individual with such a mind is wicked, futile in all his endeavours, and foolish according to the dictates of heaven because as a man thinks, i.e, as the state of mind of a man is, so is the man – Proverbs 23:7
Some Christians may argue that this state of mind happened or began after the fall of man, but I’d like to think otherwise. Although the fall of man makes us easily susceptible to a reprobate mind, the kind of individual that God gives up to a reprobate mind rejects the knowledge of God. Although banished from God’s presence, Adam and Eve still acknowledged God in some ways. I mean, how did their sons learn about sacrificing to the Lord Most High? They definitely must have instilled that knowledge in them. The ones that allowed themselves to slip into debased minds are God’s children that lived way after Adam and Eve, perhaps the ones that lived shortly after Abraham, and many alive in this day and age.
In my recent study of God’s word, a story from history caught my attention – this is where I want and feel like expressing myself in a podcast or video. I apologize for my digression, anyway, this story is from the book of I Samuel, chapter 8. Prophet Samuel’s life and times are incredible to explore; from his mother waiting to have him, to his conception, to his service to God without the knowledge of God, to growing in the knowledge of God. Incredible, incredible in my opinion. I had to re-listen and re-listen to the chapters as I studied the book of I Samuel. One of the testimonies of Prophet Samuel was that none of his word fell to the ground – this is some weight and stature to attain with the Lord! Also, he judged God’s people with honor, in truth and commitment; however, his sons did not follow his ways – they did not grow up to love or know the Lord like their father( I Samuel 8:3). However, he made them judges over provinces in Israel, but God’s children rejected Prophet Samuel’s choice.
I imagine that they called a meeting to inform him of their displeasure. Well, the bible says the elders gathered at Samuel’s house in Ramah and said to him,
“Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.- I Samuel 8:4.
So many things are wrong with their approach and the statement, in my opinion. No acknowledgement or show of appreciation for the sacrifices Prophet Samuel had made for them. The bible says that the prophet traveled around Israel, judging and ruling over them, nonetheless always returned to his home in Ramah – I Samuel 7:16. I imagine this was a lot of sacrifice and commitment, and work from God’s servant-prophet Samuel. But see how he was repaid! These men and women who went to see him were called elders, one would imagine that they would have some wisdom….sadly, this is still the norm within some Christian communities to date.
Secondly, to address the prophet’s children that way was somewhat condescending in my opinion. Did they think that it may not have given the prophet concern that his children were on the path of destruction? Perhaps putting them in the position to judge and rule people was a form of training for them as he prayed for them, or perhaps it was even God’s will for them in the moment. These are questions they could have posed to Prophet Samuel; however, they chose to be wise in their eyes and minds.
Furthermore, I see God’s children comparing themselves with other nations instead of fixing their focus on God’s will and mind for them. God says that those who compare themselves with one another are not wise! – II Corinthians 10:12.
The bible recounts that this action taken by the elders displeased Prophet Samuel, but instead of taking it out on them, he took it to God in prayer. God told him to do as they want, but warn them of the outcome of their decision. Prophet Samuel’s response here speaks so much of his character, so worthy of emulation! Too sad that his boys did not grow up to know the Lord for themselves, too.
The prophet obeyed the Lord, he told the elders and everyone of God’s children that cared to listen that their decision wasn’t the will of God. Nonetheless, they were insistent on having a king elected over them. “You will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you on that day” – I Samuel 8:19. This kind of prophecy should perhaps bring them to have a rethink, not God’s children! They remained insistent on having a king rule over them. Prophet Samuel took the report back to God, and this was God’s response –
And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them – I Samuel 8:21
And this is how the journey to a reprobate mind begins: by rejecting God, rejecting His perfect will, rejecting His insight, rejecting His guidance, and choosing to be wise in one’s eyes. He just stands aside and watches you do your thing. This is a sad and dangerous place to be, Apostle Paul extensively describes this state of mind in Romans 1:21-23 –Although they knew God, apostle Paul says, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thought and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into he image made like corruptible man- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Dear friend, may I ask you – “What is the state of your mind right now?” Is your mind flooded with the light of God? Do you still hear God speak to you? Do you listen to His instructions? Are you given to your self-will or the will of God? Does your heart well up in gratitude or disdain towards your maker? Do you still acknowledge God in your ways or give yourself all the credit for a job well done?
In God’s perfect will is the best place to be, although it may pose extremely challenging initially, it may not make human sense initially, however, it is the best place to be. Go ask or read up, Papa Abraham, Moses, Mary, Gideon, Apostle Paul, and Jesus Christ’s stories. All the men and women who hearkened to the voice of God ended gloriously, unlike others who did otherwise. If perhaps you have veered off the track or path of righteousness, please return home. Apostle Paul mentions ingratitude as one of the triggers of a reprobate mind. A songwriter said that if we sit down to count our many blessings, we would see that the Lord is good. One strategy the enemy uses to draw men to himself is to sow discouragement in the hearts of men. I hope that this post propels you to internalize, check in with yourself, and check in with God to see that you still love the Lord, you still acknowledge Him, and you are full of gratitude towards your maker and not on your way to a reprobate mind.
May the good Lord continue to uphold us to stay on track with Him, may we continue to stay rooted in His presence, yielding to His voice to the very end in Jesus’ name.