Romans 1:28-32, Tranforming a Reprobate Mind
Romans 1:28-32 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; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Because the hearts of some men were continually evil, God gave them up to uncleanness and vile affections, repeated twice in verse 24 and verse 26 and the third time, God gave them over to a reprobate mind (v28). It is that same verb used for emphasis. This time stating that the outworking of such twisted lives (gays and lesbians) are a result of a mind that is morally worthless or utterly corrupted with sin! A mind that is abhorred by God due to the great extent of waywardness. God “gave up over” described the judicial act of God in handing these men and women over to suffer the consequences of his wrongdoing by their continual rebellion against the known will of God. This was a description of the people in Sodom prior to God’s judgement. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt when her heart could not let go of her affections for Sodom just before it was totally destroyed. Just ask ourselves, what would human society be like in one generation when men and women forfeit the basic purpose of procreation!
The reprobate mind is described in verses 29-31 beginning with “all unrighteousness”, a total disregard for the laws of God and the way of God to expiate sin. It is filled with immorality, evil, greed, evil intent to harm, full of jealousy, killing, quarrelsome, deceit, propensity to inflict harm, gossiping, slandering, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, foolish, untrustworthy, heartless, irreconcilable, unmerciful. All these heartily done in a wilful and habitual manner.
The Apostle Paul gave a contrast in the born again Christian with a restored mind to bear God’s image and spiritual fruit to a reprobate mind in Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
God saved Apostle Paul, transformed his heart, taking away all the hatred and filling it with love and joy and peace. Hallelujah! Christ lived in him, giving a total transformation. This is the power of the gospel. Amen. (Hymn: Christ Liveth In Me https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/507)