Given Over To A Reprobate Mind
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.
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In my explanation of verses 24 and 25 I compared the way and development of sin to a smooth and slippery road upon which the sinner slides down to destruction. He is forced down by a power which the apostle described as the revelation of the wrath of God.
God is the doom of the sinner.
For this same reason we may compare the development of sin as described in these last verses of Romans 1 to an organic growth. Sin can never stop. It must continue to work until it has corrupted every relation of life. This is not due only to an inherent power of sin. But it is also due to the fact that God works in sin. God is not the power of corruption. But God is the power that is able to cause the sinner to corrupt himself unto the very end. God works in sin, causing the sinner to go down from corruption to corruption and to destroy himself.
The beginning was that man did not want to glorify and thank God. By that beginning man stands opposed to the ever present and ever living God. The ever present and ever living God stands over against that sinner who will not glorify and thank Him, in His wrath. This wrath pushes the sinner down.
The apostle mentions three stages in this awful process. In the first place, the sinner becomes a religious fool, so that he bows down before an image made like unto corruptible man, and birds, and beasts, and creeping things. When man refuses to glorify and thank God, the first downward step is always that man becomes a religious fool, bowing down before an image. It makes no difference whether he carves this image in wood or stone, as the heathen did, or whether he carves it in his mind, as do the modernists of today.
The second stage, the apostle pictures in verses 24-27. God gave them over, the apostle says, to the stage that makes them lower than the beast.
If a man wants to worship the beast, why should he not become lower than the beast which he worships?
But wrath does not stop with this one sin. Sin does not stop. It goes on until it bears fruit in every relation of life, so that the third stage is that God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.
What this means is described in the following verses. When God gives the sinner over to a reprobate mind, three things happen. In the first place, this sinner becomes filled with all manner of unrighteousness, such as fornication, wickedness, covetousness, and maliciousness. Being so filled with unrighteousness, he becomes filled with all vices, such as envy, murder, deceit, and malignity. The final result is that he begins to act. When God gives men over to a reprobate mind, they become whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, etc.
Is there any hope?
What shall we do in such a world?
Shall we build up institutions of education?
With these institutions of education the world goes to hell.
Shall we reform this world?
With this reformation the world goes to hell.
Shall we have federations?
Men who slide down, when they federate, slide down together.
No, we shall say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.”
The Meaning
The mind is man’s moral judgment. It is that faculty of man by which he is able to distinguish between good and evil. It is that faculty of man by which he can distinguish between the truth and the lie, between righteousness and unrighteousness. Not only does the mind distinguish, but also it is that faculty that counsels the will. We might say that the mind is our moral attorney. It tells us what we should do and what we should not do. This is the function of the mind.
Now the text speaks of a reprobate mind. The original uses a word meaning a mind “not approved.” It refers to a mind that has been put to the test and has failed. It is a mind that has been condemned and rejected. It is a mind that does not function properly. The proper function of the mind would be to distinguish between what is good and what is evil. Having distinguished between what is good and what is evil, it is the function of the mind to persuade the will to determine that which is good. The function of the mind is not only to distinguish between good and evil. But the mind is also to persuade the will to determine what is according to the will of God.
A reprobate mind functions perversely. Suppose that one must give testimony in a certain case. A reprobate mind distinguishes between what is the truth and what is the lie concerning this case. But at the same time this mind compiles all kinds of lies and persuades the will to tell that which is the lie. That is a reprobate mind. A reprobate mind is a mind that distinguishes between good and evil, but persuades one to determine that which is evil. Of this mind the apostle is speaking.
To this reprobate mind, God gave man over. This “giving over” is not meant in a passive sense. The word does not mean, “to let go.” God cannot let things go. A God who lets things go, we do not fear. But the word means that God takes the sinner and delivers him up to corruption, or, to change the figure, pushes him down from corruption to corruption.
God is the doom of the sinner.
When the text says that God gave man over to a reprobate mind, that is, when God gave him over to such moral judgment, the meaning is not that God made his judgment corrupt. His judgment is already corrupt. The mind is already corrupt, when man refuses to glorify and thank God. It is already the judgment of a reprobate mind that changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image of corruptible man and of beasts. God had already given him over, when he fell into all kinds of bestiality.
But the text means that God gave man over to bear the fruit of sin to its fullest extent in every relation of life. There is a working of God in man’s soul, in his mind, in his will, in his desires. This working is a working of wrath.
God works in this mind in wrath.
In what way?
He causes this mind to bear all the possible fruits of sin.
What are the possible fruits of sin?
The next verse tells us. God gave man over to a reprobate mind. The result is that he begins to bear every possible fruit of corruption, so that he becomes filled with every possible unrighteousness. He does not become totally corrupt. He was totally corrupt. But he bears every possible fruit of unrighteousness.
When God influences the thistle, it bears fruit. When God influences the good tree, it brings forth good fruit. When He influences the corrupt tree, it brings forth corrupt fruit. When God influences the sinner, he becomes filled with every form of unrighteousness.
What is this?
The text says: fornication; wickedness; covetousness, that is, greed of every kind; and maliciousness, that is, the desire to do someone wrong.
When he has borne this fruit in its general motives, man bears still more fruit. He becomes full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity. Under the influence of God’s wrath, the reprobate mind bears fruit.
So it was with the world of Rome. So it is with the world of today.
If we scratch off a little of the varnish, what do we find?
We find these things. These things are boiling at the fountain heads of the world.
The Result
What is the result?
This is expressed in verse 28. Man does things that are unseemly. The inner motives bear fruit in actions. The man that is full of envy, etc., begins to act. What does He do? He does things that are unseemly. Notice that the text says that this is the intended result. God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do things which are not convenient. This is God’s purpose. This is the purpose of His anger. The purpose of God is not to hold the sinner back. The purpose is that the sinner become manifest in all his folly and corruption. If this is to become manifest, the sinner must do things. God will not let the sinner rest until he does things, in order that he may become ripe for judgment and that it may become manifest that God only is good.
They do things that are unseemly, that is, things that do not fit, the apostle says. The emphasis of the text is that these things do not fit with the way God rules things. If put my hand in the fire, God keeps right on working in that fire. The result is that I burn my hand. So God causes man to do things that do not fit with the way He rules things.
What these things are, the apostle mentions in verse 29 and the following verses. Whisperers, the apostle says, that is, people who secretly talk about you; back-biters, that is, wagging of the tongue when you are not present; haters of God, literally in the original, hated of God; despiteful; proud; boasters; inventors of evil things, that is, inventors of things to do evil with; disobedient to parents, that is, setting aside all authority; without understanding; covenant breakers, that is, unfaithful in any relation of life; without natural affection, so that the woman can murder the child of her womb.
This is the result. This was the case in the Roman world. These sins came forth out of that one sin. These sins lie at the bottom of the woe of the world of today. It is these sins that destroy the home, that destroy society, that destroy the world.
What shall we do?
I will go a step farther. These sins are in your heart and in my heart. I do not mean to say that every one of these sins is in the heart of every individual. But all these sins are in the hearts of men in general, so that the one manifests this sin, and the other another sin. These sins are in your heart and in mine.
This is the doom of the sinful world.
God forces it down from corruption and into destruction, into hell.
The Reason
Why does God do this?
The text explains it.
“Even as,” the apostle says. Even as is the sin, so is the punishment.
“Even as.”
Even as what?
What was the sin?
The sin was that they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. That is, they did not want to keep the true knowledge of God in their mind.
They knew God. But they did not want to keep this knowledge of God in their mind. The original uses a strong expression. The original means: they did not think God worthy to keep in mind. They knew God. They considered whether they would keep God in mind. They came to the conclusion that God was not fit to keep in mind.
Why?
Did they not know any better?
Was it an error on their part?
No, but they wanted to live in unrighteousness. It was not an intellectual error. It was a moral question. They did not want to keep God in mind.
Even as they did not see fit to keep God in mind, so God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do things that are unfit.
Why?
Because it must become manifest that he who does not think God fit to keep in mind must run to destruction.
What shall we do?
Nothing. Not if we want to reform the world.
What shall we do?
We shall conclude that it is hopeless. It is the wrath of God that is at the bottom of it all. It is the wrath of God that is at the bottom even of war, of the present confusion of the world, and of the depression.
What shall we do?
Shall we call a prayer day?
This is folly. Away with all that is of man! From the point of view of man, it is hopeless.
Why?
Because it is the wrath of God that takes hold of man and pulls him down into hell. Let us confess that it is hopeless.
What shall we do?
We shall say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.”
For what do we need?
We need righteousness; we need holiness; we need a power to snatch us away from the wrath of God. The gospel is a revelation of the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Christ Jesus.
This gospel is a power. It is not an offer. But it is a power. It is a power taking man out of the power of sin and lifting him up into the glory of everlasting life.
Hopeless, from the point of view of man, and of the world!
Full of hope in the cross of Calvary!
The righteous shall live by faith.
By Herman Hoeksema
Test All Things 
Hey – thank you. That was a great message. I feel I am in a state as Paul was, what I want to do – I don’t and what I do not want to do – I do. I wonder if I have asked forgiveness too many times and now God has said enough; I am done with you. This is why I did a search concerning being given over to sin. It seems God is so far away from me and I miss the times I could hear Him so clearly. Everyday I get up and remind myself that I am a sinner in need of a savior. I say I will be strong and do good for a while but a dog always returns to his vomit. I know you will probably tell me that God has not left me or given up on me but how many times can a son mess up before his father says enough.
God hanged around sinners all the time. So thats not so. Just start praying and talking to God regarding everything.
This is an old post but if I may give you some encouragement…God does not give up on us until we give up on Him. Read the scriptures about the prodigal son, pray and ask forgiveness, confessing and forsaking your sin and He will hear and help.
Romans 1:16 – gospel of Christ is the power to save those who BELIEVE.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – the gospel that saves you today, in this current Age Of Grace. The moment you believe, you are baptized by the SPIRIT into the Body of Christ and FOREVER sealed. According to 2 Corinthians 5:19, your sins are NOT IMPUTED to you. TRUST and quit worrying about it. Christ did it ALL. By GRACE my friend.
Pray Psalms 51 and Psalms 19:12-14.
Sometimes when we are given over is as you know we continue to sin. He allows us to go to hell to scorch that flesh. He is even in there with us.
I feel the same way I can walk in the way but some months later I fall in the area I thought I had deliverance in . I visit churches no word I get in prayer lines no word I feel like I’ve been rejected by God I feel like what’s the use I want deliverance I so desire to live holy and be used of God again . I’m screaming but no one hears me I quote scripture crying because I don’t want to fall . I’ve joined a local church waiting to go to the new beginners class so I can speak with the Paster I’m told I need to wait for more people to express interest in joining I just don’t know what to do anymore.
Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith Hebrews 12:2. Forget looking to man sis noone but CHRIST! ONLY HE CAN SAVE YOU, DELIVER YOU AND KEEP YOU! Get into the word of GOD. The church is the body of Christ not these man-made buildings that’s some go to.
There is only one remedy to sin no matter what it is reprobate mind or otherwise. It is the renewing of the mind daily that will help you with that hopeless feeling of not being close to God, meaning surrender unto Christ each and every day there is no such thing as to so desire to live holy just surrender unto the Lord each day and allow his will to direct your path. No pastor (man) no priest (man) no evangelist (man) can save you they can only be of service through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so don’t look to others (man) for deliverance or a christian way of living just practice submission unto Christ each day and that will lead you into righteousness. I know I too struggle and I’ve been in Christ’s care since birth I’m not 50 and a woman so follow his word it has everything we need but we can not live holy we can only submit unto Christ he is the answer to salvation.
All I can say is wow
A wise man once said God is not counting the times we fall down but the times we get up. Get up and learn to stay up. We must slay sin or it will slay US.
You must come to the end of yourself. You cannot change yourself, but you must realize that you are wholly dependent on God. When you are so sick of sinning against HIm, when you are weary of trying in your own strength, when you are nearly on the verge of despair because you have sought answers and cannot find them. when you are just about ready to give up on God, THAT is when you have come to the end of yourself. When you ask Him to do whatever it takes to bring you closer to Him THAT is when He will work and then you will see your need and utter dependence on God. I don’t say it is easy. The flesh NEVER wants to die, but die it must. We must slay sin…or sin will slay US. But if you would inherit eternal life you must LOSE THE SELF LIFE or you will never find your life in Christ.
The question is asked, “how many times can a son mess up before his father says enough”. In the Scriptures the Lord Jesus promises to never leave or forsake us. Salvation is a certainty for all who believe in the promises of the gospel. The Father never gives up on His children and the promise in Scripture that we as believers can embrace is God’s promises that if you seek God with all your heart you will find Him, and those believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for all of their salvation have everlasting life. This is evidence of a work of God within you. The desire to seek God can only be granted by His mercy and according to His good will and pleasure. Blessed is the man who mourns over his sins. Mourning over sin can be one of the most painful experiences. I abhor myself said Job. Is that not the testimony of every redeemed sinner? The Word of God is clear that worldly lust wars against the soul. We must keep ourselves in prayer and in His Word always because we are too weak to stand on our own and we must never take our eyes off of the Lord Jesus who did all of the work necessary to save His people from their sins through His sin atoning death on the cross. The bible says if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Behold “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(Titus 2:11-14)
My conscience is killing me, and that IS truly the Wrath of God. I burned with shame as I read your explanation, feeling exposed to myself for how I have lived my life. The only hope I have is that I came here and believe that even in His wrath is His mercy, a purposeful wrath that is not designed to punish but to show us the depths of our own depravity and hammer home to contrite sinners that we need Jesus Christ. I pray that He will provide me the strength of character to confess that without Jesus there is no moral compass and that I’d rather face the mockery of the world than the Judgment of Righteousness. Bless you and please pray for me.
it takes a truly sincere heart of repentance to say that Mary. Be encouraged my friend, i am praying for you.
yes, I believe the artical strongly! God no the heart and im sorry, there are those who were built on destructionn of other souls due to thier lack of acceptance of God law. he no thier thoughts and action b4 it takes place. we have a brilliant God not a God 1 can manipulate. Praise God and his Holy name..
I have been studying this matter of the reprobate mind, and would appreciate any insight on the following. Is it possible that the reprobate mind is a form of mental illness resulting from the constant rejection of God and insistance of living in sin? Could it be that the psychopath who has no conscience and is very out of touch with reality, and believes everyone is as evil as he is, could be the product of rejecting God? A lot of the things on the list in Romans 1, describe the psychopath to a T. So if this is the case, is it even possible for the reprobate/psychopath to turn to God. Or has God rejected him in the sense that he is without hope of ever being saved? After all, all the experts say that a psychopath cannot be cured. He will be a psychopath for his entire life.
Dear Sharon,
A reprobate can never and will never turn to God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the elect will by God’s mercy.
The “experts” are correct that a psychopath can never be cured, but they do not realize that God can cure such a man.
Matthew 19:25
Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Thank you for that important insight. With GOD:all things are possible with man or woman it’s not.
Hopeful
And if the psychopath mind is the reprobate mind and he can turn from his sin and be saved, would that not mean that he would then be cured of his psychopathy? Or does the psychopath, who is known for his ability to con people, claim to have been saved and even show some signs of a change, but yet continue to lie and deceive and steal thinking that no one knows the truth and not realizing how obvious his lies are to those closest to him. Is it just another con game, that he thinks with his grand manner of speaking he can convince others of this lie also, in order to get some kind of gain or power or favor?
My name is Sharon also…
I think you are on to something in linking mental illness to being a reprobate. I am studying psychology at the graduate level. There’s different schools of thought on mental illness and addiction, and their respective treatments. As a Christian, I believe that in some cases mental illness is a result of demonic activity or in this case having a reprobate mind. Much, if not all of our battles are mental…
Dear Sharon and Sharon.
We see in the Word of God – the Lord Jesus Christ healing a demon possessed man, and obviously this demonic possesion resulted in a major case of what men call “mental illness”.
With this being the case, I do not believe that in all cases that mental illness is a sign of reprobation as this man was an elect child of God.
Notice though, in the verses below that when the man who was possessed with devils was healed he was “in his right mind” as we read in Mark 5:15.
Mark 5:15
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and IN HIS RIGHT MIND: and they were afraid.
I do agree that alot of cases of mental illness are related to demonic activity, especially is the person is suffering from torment.
Sharon (the graduate level psychology student),
I gather from what you wrote that you believe with me that the psychopath is the reprobate of Romans 1. So, in your opinion, is there no hope of the psychopath ever being saved because God has “given them up”? So any signs of change in their lives, such as giving up a life long addiction to alcohol, is just a part of the con-game or even a gift from Satan, and not a sign of spiritual growth? It seems the psychopath is able to give up alcohol, stop the filthy language, refuse to watch programs with bad language when others are around, say and do all the right things to impress church-people; yet continue to lie, steal, and manipulate to his own advantage.
Test All Things, I know God is capable of doing anything, including curing the psychopath. I guess the question I have is that if God has ‘given them up,’ does that mean that even though He could cure them, He won’t? And if that is the case, is there any reason to even try to bring the psychopath/reprobate to Christ? I know the man in the NT that was “clothed and in his right mind” was delivered of demons by Christ. But I’m not sure he was a psychopath or a reprobate. I’m not sure a psychopath neccesarily is demon possessed, as a rule, but rather his mind is damaged by his sin or even the sin of his parents, as the Bible talks about the results of sin being passed down to the third and fourth generation. This could explain why these mental illnesses tend to run in families.
Dear Sharon,
I do believe that if this man whom you have described as a “psychopath” was regenerated by God and was one of His regenerate elect then yes he would be cured of “conning people”, he would be cured of being a deceptive liar, and also will be delivered from being a thief.
In other words, if he has not been cured of ‘conning people’, lying as a way of life, or stealing; then he has not been regenerated by God and is not a born again christian. Therefore, all the superficial signs of change in his life are only part of the con-game?
In Deuteronomy 28:15 thru the end of the chapter, Moses lists all the curses that God will put on the children of Isreal who do not obey His commandments. Verse 28 says that he will smite them with ‘madness’. I looked up the word ‘madness’ in the Hebrew and the definition is ‘craziness’ from the root word which means ‘to rave through insanity’. So if God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; would He not also curse those today who continue to disobey Him with ‘insanity’ or ‘psychopathy’? Verses 45 & 46 say: “Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: and they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.”
Dear Sharon,
I do not know what God will do with each individual member of the human race. Likewise I do not know which mentally ill “psychopath” as you state will some day be born again and come to know the LORD Jesus Christ.
I have already pointed out that in the Word of God – the Lord Jesus Christ healed a demon possessed man, and obviously this demonic possesion resulted in a major case of what men call “mental illness”. So this proves that not all who are “psychopaths” and mentally ill in this way are reprobates.
What I can state again is that if God were to regenerate a mentally ill “psychopath” then yes he would be cured of being a psychopath.
When the Lord Jesus healed the demon possessed man who had mental illness he was found to be “in his right mind” as the bible states.
Excellent observation and having suffered at the hands of a person who displays all the sinful qualities, charm compliments convincing liar I need to make it clear that unless the Holy Spirit reveals the heart of this person to you your life will be destroyed . If The heart is hard and the mind is reprobate a deadly combination . I can only share a snipet of my testimony as it too long ,this person cheated on me repeatedly yet accused me of cheating , threatened violence belittled me , never complimented any of my talents stalked me , denied the baby I was carrying was his, thankfully ended in miscarriage denied the abuse I had suffered in my childhood yet pretending they believed me. Mind manipulation controlling , sexually perverse a slave to sexual immorality .Money idolatry , proud . God had me confess and repent to this person the ways I wronged them not once did they admit wrongdoing in a meaniful way .. Unrepentant is. HUGE sign .God showed me after 9 years that this person has a retrobate mind and is on their way to hell combined with a wicked heart. Let God be true and every one else a liar! PLEASE SEEK GOD FAST DEEPLY if you in relationship with someone like this YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT a person like this is SATANS CHILD
I feel this was me and weren’t even aware. I feel so shamed but I also feel rejected but the gospel still moves me but feel God might have stopped striving with me
Keep your mind on Jesus. I will pray for you. Stay in the Word of God, put it on the walls of your house. Never cease praying and continually listen to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of SINNERS.
Thank you, but I guess I am looking for something a little more concrete. I am married to this person. He can be very dangerous, but as long as he believes he is ‘in control,’ things are somewhat ok. So his game of making me believe that he is a christian had fooled me for a while, but through my study of this subject in the word of God, I have come to realize it is just another con-game. If I were to confront him about it to try to bring him to salvation, it could get very dangerous for me and others. So if there is no chance for him to be saved, because God has ‘given him up’, I think it would be better for me to let him go on believing that I am still falling for his con.
No do not go letting him believe you run a serious risk of potential endangerment to you and him. By this I mean you can be seen as an enabler by passively going along with his deceit by you not saying any thing its like you living the Lie with him. So pray to God for His power to strengthen you and drive away the fear you have or face. Cuz to let him continue beleiving the you beleive he is saved profits you both nothing in the grand scheme of things and the end result is something neither of you would really want. Which is the Wrath of God and I mean this in no way of judging you. Just to let you of the pain and anguish of when we disobey that which is expected to do which is right. I also speak this of one self although indivdual situations differ Seek prayer and God’s mercy. Remind your husband gently a litte each day That it is Only True Sincere organic repentance and that going thru the motions just in theory alone will perhaps fool man at its best at it wost can never will never Fool God. Again while make no judgement Only Gods knows The Heart of Mankind It true intentions. So ask God for his wisdom and that your husband may be delivered if he still suffers with Pycopathic behavior or unbroken patterns.. In SIMPLE TERMS BOTTOM LINE PRAY FOR REVLATION THAT THE TRUTH IS OUT AND UP FOR DISSCUSIONS IN JESUS NAME!
Note for Sharon: Hi! No sinner has the ability to know if a person is eternally reprobate in this life. The only way any sinner can know if one is eternally reprobate is to know they died in unbelief. Until then there is always hope that they are amongst God’s elect. If you believe your life is in danger, then I would live your life before him as the Bible describes in I Peter 3:1-6.
I had a question for you Sharon: As a Christian, I have studied Psychology and to me, Psychology is a false religion (this is my opinion). Psychology, instead of having a deity like Ala for the Muslims or Jesus Christ for the Christian, Psychology places self as the deity, and has it’s own language, which in my opinion just makes excuses for sin and leaves the sinner not responsible for their actions. The God of the Bible holds ALL accountable for their sins, but as I studied Psychology, it seemed to me to be just a religion with self as the deity making excuses for sins with psychological words which just left the sinner not responsible for their sins. What am I missing as you are a graduate student and a professing Christian? I am asking this for someone very close to me who is not a Christian has many problems she can’t deal with, and spends many hours with psychologists and psychiatrists. They never tell her to forgive those who she believed wronged her, they never have her confront the problems. Instead they just use these fancy big words to explain away her sin. I, who have the mind of Christ, according to the Bible, have more wisdom than any one of these “professionals”- those of them who have not Christ. For their solution for my dear friend is NEVER one of forgiveness, NEVER one to confront the problem, NEVER make her accountable for her sins, and just give her these academic terms to try to explain everything away. I would appreciate your opinion thank you- I mean no disrespect, I’m just trying to find help with my very close friend. Craig
Yes . Don’t let on that you see things as they are. Jyst be a loving wife the way God intended you to be. God sees all and we have to go on about our day and wait on God. He’s conning you but he can’t con God. It’s mental manipulation. He’s heading for destruction. You can’t save him or chastise him. Pray for him and be all you can be for God.
Craig, I believe you have gotten the two ‘Sharons’ on here confused. I am the one asking if the reprobate of Romans 1 is the same thing as a psychopath. I am not the psychology graduate student. I have only studied this on my own as it relates to my husband. I agree with you about a lot of the methods of psychology. However, I have found the study of different so called mental illnesses, such as psychopathy, helpful in comparing their characteristics with those in the Bible. If you compare Hare’s list of psychopathic behaviors to that of the reprobate in Romans 1, I think you will find as I did that they are the same. That in itself though is reason not to agree with their methods. Because what they call illness, God calls sin. As far as this person you are very close to goes, I would distance myself from her if you can. The Bible says that God is not the author of confusion. Anyone who has been around a mentally ill person can tell you that they are very much in a state of confusion. So if it is not from God the logical conclusion is that they are of their father the devil. The best thing you can do is get as far away as possible. They will leave a path of destruction behind them everywhere they go. Don’t be captured by curiosity or the illusion that you can fix them. You can’t. The best you can do is protect yourself and those you love by getting far far away, if this is possible and you are not married to her.
To Sharon the non graduate Psychology student: sorry, I did get you confused with the other Sharon. But I did give you some scriptures for you from my point of view regarding your husband: 1 Peter 3:1-6. Also see I Corinthians 7:14. As far as my friend: she just believes she has problems and goes to a psychologist which I am addressing; she is not manifesting the problems you have brought up. I will pray for you and your husband Sharon and thank you for your response.
Is it possible for a reprobate to get saved?
No, a reprobate is someone who was not chosen in Christ before the world began. There is no salvation outside of Christ Jesus and therefore no salvation for the reprobate.
The reprobates are appointed to destruction by God Himself ( Proverbs 16:4, I Peter 2:8, Jude 4). God ensures the reprobates will not believe His Word; He is actively involved in their reprobation (John 12:37-41).
What if you are married to someone with psychopathic traits? I am separated from a violent person who is very highly intelligent and manipulative. All through our married life I sought counselling and no one ever identified him as a psychopath, an abuser or a reprobate. He could wear a mask very well and I always wondered about his salvation, but I figured that if the pastors didn’t feel uncomfortable with him serving in church (even though they had some conflicts with him), it must have been in my mind. But I could never understand why messages never impacted him the same way they impacted me and he never prioritized studying the Bible. In the end, I concluded he was legalistic but never in my mind did I think he was a reprobate (although the list in Rom 1:29 and 2 Tim 3 always reminded me of him). I only recognize psychopathic traits in hindsight, with the knowledge of what a psychopath is.
I believe God led me to separate from him because my children were in danger. However, some Christians don’t see it as right to be apart from him – a pastor even told me that I shouldn’t expect perfection and that even abusers can change. Is it helpful to quote such scriptures and identify him as one or will it just suck me back to a fight with him (he will certainly fight it)?
I read your post. I am so scared that I am a reprobate. My husband tells me that a reprobate wouldn’t question if they were it not. As a teen I did or said things for shock value but the saying hive the devil an inch and he’ll take a mile is so true. I’ve been addicted to a sin for almost 3 years. I do good then I fail. When I fail I feel horrible but I won’t allow myself to feel the live or presence if God! I know thst is wrong too nut how do I know for sure it’s His presence and not the enemy trying yo confuse me. I can’t sleep because I’m do worried I will miss the rapture. I hate this sin!!! I want yo be free so bad but despite all my best efforts I keep failing. I know I will never be the person I could gave been… How do I know if I’m a reprobate!
Dear Scared:
Ma’am I believe if we just follow the Bible, one must conclude that no one can know if they are a reprobate in this life. I believe the only way one can know if some one is reprobate is when they die in unbelief. The Bible never says make your reprobation sure. But the Bible does say to God’s elect: “give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:10,11).
To know whether one is under the Holy Spirit’s work and conviction: the evidence is that one will always look to Jesus Christ alone for salvation: what Jesus did, what Jesus accomplished, where He is now and that He is interceding for His elect right now! The Holy Spirit will always point the person to Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. “No man (or woman) can say Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3).
As far as the sin you are struggling with; here is a promise to God’s people: “If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14). I will be praying for you Scared, and if you seek further contact: contact the administrator here with your contact info and I would be more than happy to contact you………………….Craig……… God says to His people:”Behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2).
Ask for God’s grace to overcome sin at all times. The fact that you are aware of your sin and you eagerly desire repentance is a good sign.
Lee, You are apparently struggling with a besetting sin, and perhaps a stronghold in your life. First you have to recognize what it is, and confess it to the Lord, and then get in His Word each day, and ask for His help to overcome it. The fact that you are concerned about your salvation shows I think that you are not reprobate. A true reprobate no longers cares, and gives themself over to disobedience and rebellion against God, because their heart is hardened, and their conscience is seered. God’s Word is the weapon you need. Write some verses down on index cards that apply to the past or areas where you are tempted, and read them aloud each time the need arises….resist the devil and He will flee…
i have been troubled and sick for many years i left the catholic church 16 years ago. i became sick with seizures that long ago. the catholic church did nothing for me i wanderd around for awhile then i got unto a conversation with a person about religion and she invited me to her church. the second service i rose my hand because i didnt know if i was going to heaven. i was told how and i prayed. i was a wieght lifted of my shoulders cursing stoped alchohole stopped many sins stopped. after 5 years i started to do horriable sin again i felt so horriable about it and now i feel so doomed. i got down on my knees to pray over and over for God to forgive me but i continue to feel like im going to hell i beg God everday to forgive my sins i hate them hate satan but always seem to have a battle in my mind. I will never reject Jesus i dont believe in any other way to heaven acept through jesus, but it always comes back to my sin how much i hate it and how much i ask God to forgive me. Reprobate scares me because i forever want to be in heaven with God i hate this filth in this world i have been realy getting into Gods word in the past 3 years praying with all my heart rebuking satan but i fall short all the time i am constantly seeking his face praying for him to take over me because it is impossible for me to do it alone. THE war in my mind is constant and i dont want to have any doubt anymore. what should i do
Hello Jason: I recommend you read my response above yours for it addresses a similar situation. As far as the Roman Catholic church goes: there is no salvation there for they teach salvation by works and grace (God’s unmerited favor). The Bible teaches that salvation is all of grace thru the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ALONE. You say you attended a place where you raised your hand that you were not saved, and then you had peace from your sins; and that now they are back. Most places where they get you to raise you hand that you are not saved, then tell you how to get saved; this will result in error for they teach it is something YOU did to make the difference between heaven and hell. That’s works religion just like Roman Catholicism. The Bible reveals a salvation outside or our works: a salvation based on the work of Jesus Christ ALONE in order to take away the sins of God’s elect- those He has ordained to eternal life.
If you are still lost in your sins, the only remedy God gives is to flee to Christ ALONE for salvation. You evidence that you may not have done this yet for your struggle with sin. All Christians struggle with sin, but they all know that their sins are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells God’s elect they must forsake their sins and look to Christ ALONE for all their salvation. Please read my article above yours for this also will give some answers along with some scripture…and I recommend articles on this website for they are God honoring……Craig
Hi. I suffered with those plaguing thoughts too, but the Bible says: “for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves it is the gift of God not a result of works so that no man may boast” Eph 2:8-9.If your salvation depended on the sin that did or DID NOT commit it would be by works. You not sinning for salvation is a work. It is a gift from God. Nothing can earn it and nothing can take it away. Memorize 1 JN 1:9: “If we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. This will help you when the enemy comes at you and tells you those lies. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is LORD and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved” Rom 10:9. God is faithful. Satan is a liar and he is going to do everything he can to make you doubt, and to think that you have to preform for God in order to be saved. Not true. It is a free gift. You can do nothing that will make God love you more and you can do nothing that will make God love you less.
I gave my girl friend(virgin) every love and protection she needed. Afta a year she lost it to a man, and got to find out 2years later meanwhile i was advising her. She began to develop the habit of lying to me knowing i would detest so much what she did. I forgived her with proves yet she is stil lies to me. How can i help her, i love her so much but i cant marry her with that attitude.
To Chidinma: If I were you I would confront her with the lies. Tell her a marriage cannot be started on lies. Come clean both of you and go from there. Maybe with a clean slate: all her issues brought out will lead her not to want to lie to you anymore. I would make it an ultimatum; if she is to be your wife she would have to come clean and plan to live clear of lying to you………..Craig
I without a doubt was given over to the reprobate mind, and believe as the grad student on here that I am a psychopath. So my question for you is since I was give over but am still here breathing, is there any hope for me with Christ? I don’t believe there is, and before I was given over, i was baptized and saved and attending church regularly. I had thought I was changed but I was only fooling myself and everyone else apparently.
what exactly makes you think you are a reprobate?
Dear reprobate: I would like to make a few comments on your post. I believe there are different interpretations in the Bible concerning the word “reprobate”. The Bible says a person can be given over to a “reprobate mind”: this is a mind that is void of judgment. It does not mean that that person is without hope of salvation. Then the Bible speaks of the non-elect or “reprobate”. These are those sinners who have no hope of salvation because Christ did not die for their sins and therefore their sins are charged to them and they will be damned. God knows who they are for He predestinated them such; but we humans cannot know who a reprobate is in this life unless we know them to die in unbelief. So I believe the Christian cannot know who a reprobate is while they are still alive; neither can the reprobate know they are reprobate. The Bible does not teach that they nor we can know.
As far as you being “baptized and saved” previously: if you find yourself not a believer at this time then you never have been saved because the Bible says they that endure unto the end shall be saved. Once a person comes to know of their salvation, they can never utterly fall away. Also, a sinner does not do something and then get saved. All of God’s elect have been saved from eternity (II Timothy 1:9); they just know of their salvation when God reveals Himself to them through the gospel.
So based on the Bible: you have yet to be saved, you cannot know if you are without hope, and God is still calling His elect to Himself because that is only reason He has not yet come again…………Craig
Dear Lee: If someone is married to someone who is violent to them or their children, I certainly would not encourage them to live with them. These kind of people indeed are many times very intelligent and can put on a face.
The Bible does teach that marriage is a lifelong bond; so if someone leaves their spouse because they fear for their or their children’s safety they are not then free to break the marriage bond.
I believe that only if one becomes born again will that break them of their ways; I don’t read or hear of many of them reforming on their own.
Look on this website under marriage that while you fear for your family concerning this person, you cannot divorce him and marry another.
Craig
Nothing shall be able to separate me from the Love of. God which is in Christ Jesus!
help
To Adam: hi, you posted “help”. Could you explain what you mean? Thanks……..Craig
Good stuff.
Hello I wanted to share this with some people who may have had bad nightmares and abuse in the past or are going thru some now..I truely believe there is Power in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ..it is the name that is above all names..When I believed I can say truely I was trying to please people instead of God…My parents did not raise me perfectly and did the best they could with what they knew was right..I had many fears and nightmares as a child, my mom would always say it is just a dream and do not put stock in it.. Sometimes I get those weird dreams..and the last one I did have ( IN MY DREAM I CALLED OUT THE NAME JESUS AND IT WOKE ME UP FROM THAT SILLY DREAM)
Hi Cathy- as far as dreams go- they might have had a purpose before the scriptures were completed. But now that we have God’s testimony in the Bible as complete- the only thing I can say about dreams is that they are a manifestation of sinfulness apart from us being consciously awake to respond to them. Dreams today IMO mean little; God’s testimony (His Word) means everything! Cathy know God’s Word and trust on that not dreams!………Craig
If someone who has continued to reject Jesus and He turns them over to their own lusts like in Psalm 28:12, does it mean they will never be saved?
Hi Rosie: I have read your comment and also Psalm 28:12. Certainly the Bible teaches that there are only two classes of people in the world: those that God has predestinated to be in heaven (called the elect) and those that God has predestinated to be in hell (called the reprobate). This doctrine is expounded in Matthew 25:31-46.
But as I read the Bible, I believe that no one can know who the reprobate are until they see them die in unbelief of Jesus Christ. So while the person is living, I believe that they can reject Christ for a long time; and then be found seeking the Lord; or that they will ultimately die in unbelief. As I discern the scriptures, only at death can one determine if one is reprobate. If you can prove me incorrect by the scriptures, please state the verses. I believe as long as they are alive they can still be given repentance ( II Timothy 2:24-26) by the Sovereign Lord if He so wills …Craig
Hey, I have been reading the posts on here and it has blessed me and scared me all at the same time. I am a christian who was once backslid and now have rededicated my life to God and have been living right for the past 3 years. The devil will throw this idea in my head that im a reprobate mind because I still fail sometimes and stumble with my walk. Alot of the times with the same sins i struggled with when I was living in sin. I tell myself that if I was truly born again then i wouldnt be struggling with these nasty, wicked, evil sins in my life. Which ends up in me thinking that i have a reprobated mind cause I have such a hard time with overcoming these sins. Im just going to go ahead and say it, it is pornography. And I feel like God has given me over to a debased mind when I fail in this area. Because when God gave the people in Romans over to a reprobate mind, that’s when the sexual immorality and all that started. BUT, i think the difference is, is the vast amounts of shame and guilt and disgust with myself that comes along with that sin when i commit it. The bible says God has no respect of person and that no sin is greater than the other, but this sin inparticular seems different because of how much I defile my spirit when i commit it. A person with a reprobated mind would not feel that shame or guilt if they looked at porn, or commited any other sin for that matter.I think that through prayer and fasting and me fighting the lust of my flesh God will take this away from me. But i gotta fight it. And that is the difference to me…for the people out there that are under conviction and worried that they are turned over to a reporbated mind, the fact alone that your worried about it is a blessing in itself!…this is not me saying that sin in your life is okay, because its not, it leads to death and an eternal hell. But God’s promises of grace and mercy is so much greater than his promise of an eternal hell. Its not his will for any one of his children to perish.”And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures till the end shall be saved” Mat. 24:12-13…keep fighting!
Hi Josh! I agree with you that those in Romans that God gives them over to a reprobate mind: these sinners are those who are “void” (empty) of judgment. That’s what a reprobate mind is: a mind God has given over to sin to the point they are not convicted of the sin; and actually have pleasure in the sin with no remorse.
Your trial with porn is different in the fact that you know it is wrong and are struggling with it. So from what you state in your post it does not seem you have a reprobate mind; but you do struggle with porn. May God help you repent and overcome this sin. I actually have a few friends who profess the true gospel that state they struggle with porn.
A reprobate mind is not found amongst the elect that have been regenerated. But sin is. My exhortation is: flee fornication………………..Craig
Hey Craig….thanks man…I’ve been getting on here regularly to see if anyone has been responding to my posts. Your reply to my comments and previous comments has helped me a lot and I am greatly appreciative. I just wanted to see if I could help anyone out who might fail in the same area or struggle with the same thing. The devil is the master of lies and manipulation and might get the upper hand sometime but I know through prayer and fasting I can overcome this problem. The bible says to forsake this flesh and walk in the spirit, which in other words, means to go against what I WANT to do and do what I KNOW is holy and pure, pornography not being one of them. I know were kind of getting off subject now but I was wondering if you knew of any good scriptures to read regarding this. Anything would help…..thanks brother……Josh
Hi Josh: yes I am here reading all responses to this thread. Here are some verses and exhortations: if you read of Samson he himself was a child of God but had a problem with sex with persons apart from a wife; read his testimony in Judges (Judges chapter 13-16). Although Samson struggled with sex outside of marriage God used him mightily; BUT Samson suffered in his life and ultimately in his suicide because of his sin- yet was included amongst the elect. May our prayer be that the Lord keep us from presumptuous sins ( Psalm 19:13 ). These sins include indulging in porn saying: “well the Lord will forgive me”.
Let King David be a lesson: He had wives upon wives and concubines- he had more women than his physical body could satisfy. Yet he lusted after a married woman Bath-sheba. During approximently the next year David: committed adultery, coveted his neighbor’s wife, had someone murdered, and many other sins. He reward: the death of his son, a family who chased him all his life to de-throne him, enemies every where ( Read the Psalms of David).
In the New Testment is the same command: flee fornication, children keep your selves from idols, it is better to marry than to burn, adulterers and fornicators God will judge.
I hear those who profess sovereign grace to be exposing themselves to these sins. I fear for them. This is a realm of God the justified elect should not even dare thread.
I hope this helps you Josh. In closing I commend unto God’s testimony in Proverb 6:20-35……..Craig
hey guys, i am really scared…..when i was younger i was saved. Later down the road i got into some VERY wicked evil things. I started lusting after my sister sexually. And it eventually turned into me watching incest themed porn. I feel so nasty and dirty and evil. I honestly think i am a reprobated mind and there is no hope for me. How could God forgive me for such things???….i do not participate in this behavior anymore but the shame and guilt is always there. I believe i truly am a reprobate and i am so scared….if there is no hope for me please let me know…..be honest….please help….im so scared…..
Friend you need to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. If you have then you need to ask Christ to help you overcome this guilt because satan is trying to convince you that its to late. Its not! Christ can still save and deliver from all sin. No matter how horrible it seems.
Dear friends. If you only knew how much ‘BODY OF CHRIST’ is in your testimony from your confessions, your counseling and encouragement to one another. Reading through this heart piercing, candid Q & A embodies the very core of Christ’s Church. I am together with you, in this messy mindedness. I was also drawn to this forum through google searching based on my own fears and struggles with what seems to be of ‘reprobate’ mindedness. Thank God for allowing me to fear him enough to do something like seek help on the web. Those of whom have confessed what seems to be the worst of circumstances have given me the greatest of hope because you were also drawn here to this holy place of loving exchange to seek hope and truth in Christ, literally out of the dreadful fear of God. Your reaching out for help is like the budding of flowers on a fruit tree toward producing the onset of repentant fruit that I hope matures into our victory in Christ. The fact that we have arrived in this blessed gathering is revelation that Christ is working in us. Please see that!!!! We are not forsaken! We have made a mess of life and many of us have left a dreadful impact to others behind us. I have so many past failures that haunt me. Things I cannot fix. I have been backslid, lazy and out of fellowship with God while feeling sorry for myself being away from my family on business for several months now. My mind is week and double thinking. I went to websites I shouldn’t have and am ashamed.I am in contempt with God because I have been doing things I’ve asked him to deliver me from in the past. Now the struggle is on. Many of us have had or are still having horrible things that we cannot fix ourselves. But in Christ, together in his body, we can surrender together to see him make all things new. Some things we just need to abandon. Some things we need to reconcile and make better. For sure we need to seek his face and be with believers, our family. But the really good news is: there is hope! Our loving father brings us to such places like this website. I have been told, and I am finding that GRATITUDE overcomes sinful mindedness, especially sexual immorality. If you have the capacity to thank your father in heaven for his son Jesus being Christ and the power over sin and death, then you are not forsaken!! If you have the power to thank God, use it as your life thrives on it. We are made to be of a gracious heart, because we are made in the likeness of our Father. We have the gift from our Father in Heaven!! How could we possibly have gratitude for Christ if our heavenly father did not place that gift in our hearts/minds? Jesus said: “Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden (heavy at heart) and I will give you rest”. Praise the name of Jesus. To start thanking God/Jesus for your salvation and his power over sin and death and for all issues in your life is absolutely his gift to us to ‘enter into his his rest’. To rest in him is to come to him and surrender. He is the King of Glory. And to come to him is glorious. A grateful heart can enter into that rest. It is a heart that has been enabled to come to Christ. That is the amazing gift from our loving daddy in heaven. Our loving Daddy is the Almighty God. We fear him with love and gratitude or we fear his judgement in our sin. But he is God and he is to be feared one way or the other. Gratitude is they way to Glory. Nobody can come to the son unless the father calls him. What a gift (friend) we have in Jesus….from our loving Father.
Father for all who have come to this place in fear of you, our Almighty, please make new and robust our concept of you through your awesome son, Jesus, our King and through fellowship and losing ourselves in his body. Amen.
Dear all, your repentant hearts gave me so much hope today. There is power in repentance. Thank you for sharing your hearts with me. This was church for me today.
The reprobate and the elect is a very sobering doctrine to come forth from the Holy Scriptures. That is, as declared explicitly in the Holy Scriptures, God Almighty has already chosen for Himself a people (whom the Scripture calls, the elect). As for those who have not been covenanted to His Son Jesus Christ – Paul simply describes them as the “vessel of dishonor” (whom theologians have given the name reprobate), created for destruction. Make no mistake that these “vessels of honor and dishonors” created has nothing to do with what they have done or are to do (clearly taught in Romans 9:11). That’s because King David clearly declares, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (psalm 115:3)
Therefore, for God Almighty to bring His sovereign plan and purpose into fusion, the Holy Scriptures graciously gives us numerous accounts from Genesis to Revelation of what is a “vessel of honor and dishonor”. The Lord did not reveal this to His people for them to be self-righteous and be judgmental of others, as Christ admonish us “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1,2
The Word of God speaks to each and everyone of us personally. It’s filled with “checklists” of what is a vessel or honor and dishonor. It is not meant for us to go round pointing our fingers at one another, for Paul speaks and admonishes, “…but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” , and should we “fear and tremble”, truth be told, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12,13)
So, where’s the boasting?
Thank you for taking the time to share these humbling truths with us brother.
That was awesome that hit me in my heart and plagues me daily, as if Paul and I are of one mind. I am tired of doing what I do not want to do amd pray everyday the Lord hears my pleas. I’m so tired of sin God please save from my wretched mind and deceitful heart.
Darius: It is a good thing to realize one’s sinfullness. For there is a solution for the people of God. God’s promise is Deuteronomy 4:29- “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul”. Jesus Christ has established a righteousness for His people which answers all the demands of God’s law and justice against the elect sinner. God promises again to the elect of God: “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and He that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (Matthew 6:37).
i was involved with sexual immorality i started to have panic attacks drs said i needed surgery but it didnt help i repented of my sins i dont sleep psycho meds dosent help i have prayed repentance prayer over lots of time i dont want to go to hell i dont want to be reprobate does this mean i am
If you are worried about being a reprobate then your not. Those kind of people dont care if they are right with God or not. They have no consciences towards God. They real question is if you have changed. If you confess that your a sinner and believe that Jesus died for ur sins that you may be forgiven then you are saved. But if your still living in sin and nothing has changed in your life then you need to pray that He will change you
I’m not sure if this has been said already, I read through the first 10 comments or so… Anyways, my understanding is that the reprobate mind describes all of us before regeneration, and if I understand Romans 7 correctly, even those of us who have been regenerated still struggle with sin falling into “reprobate like behavior”, the difference is we know that behavior is wrong and so we honor the law.
I’m convinced that we live in constant sin rarely if ever ceasing, who among us can say that we love the lord God with all of our heart mind and strength? I suspect that we fall short of this command with every breath, what sets the reprobate mind apart is that we know that our transgression is wrong, and we put faith in Christ’s righteousness and not our own.
Those with a reprobate mind, believe that honoring things, money, other men or woman. They believe pride, boasting, flattering others and so on, is very good, and do not even notice the obvious sin of bowing to the creature rather than the Creator. Those in this condition think evil is good,and good is evil. And you cannot convince them otherwise. J.O.
My wife and I got saved. And were living a life for god we let our guard down. And she became addicted to meth. I didn’t know what was going on other than she seemed to have turned against god and her family. She showed all the sighns of a reprobate mind. That’s why IM here. has anyone experienced this.
IM now scared for my safety.
THANKS VERY INTERESTING,I VE BEEN READING UP IN THIS SINCE EARLY PART IF THE MORNING.I have had a child by a person who fits all the descriptions of a person with a reported mind.He has tried to tear our 11th month old And my 4yrs old relationship up.he has tried to make me see worse in my church and the church members,he complains bout everything that is good,he transforms when he drinks,he sighs when i read the bible and try to distract every purpose he is controlling,he talks about me to neighbors
What does a reprobate brain mean? While I was struggling in my mind I heard that, so is it different from mind? I love God with all my heart and know Jesus is my only hope!
all information on reprobate mind i do not believe a reprobate mind has anything to do with mental illness, i believe it is a healthy mind that just lies and believes their own lies and wicked ways are okay. i have known mentally ill people and he literally walked with god and stayed in scripture and prayer and i seen God work miracles in him
Hi Barbara: I would agree with you that scripturally speaking mental illness is not involved in the “reprobate mind”. In the bible I see the reprobate mind is one that is “void of judgment”. The reprobate mind cannot discern spiritual things because the reprobate mind has not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit; by whom only the elect will receive this regeneration and not have a reprobate mind.
Hi all, a debate on facebook has me questioning my own belief. I always thought any and everyone can be saved if they believe in Christ and follow him. Someone in an open discussion said a homosexual can’t be saved because God has turned them over to a reprobate mind. I said, if the gay person asks for Jesus to save them and they turn from their wicked ways, why wouldn’t God save them? He said it all goes back to the reprobate mind. A gay person wouldn’t ask for forgiveness. I must say, I’ve never thought about could a gay person even come to the conclusion something is wrong? What are your thoughts on this subject, anyone..
I love Jesus so very much and know that I sin, though I hate my sins. We all have struggles with the flesh, and if it is a struggle, God most definitely is moving in it and is in my heart.
Why won’t God just take away addictions? I love him but all I do is bring shame to his name.
Please help. I feel like I am a reprobate. I have sinned so long and can’t seem to overcome my sin or hate it enough to stop. I feel like the biggest hypocrite in the world, saying I want to stop, but not stopping and receiving grace. How do I overcome?
Confess everything to Jesus. He understands and will give you grace to overcome. Lean on Him when it’s hard and ask Him for others to come around you to help and support you. You can do it!
If you believe that you have reprobate mind and you have sinned against GOD your whole existing life (55 years) and have heard the GOSPEL during this time but did accept the gift of salvation. I s there anyway that you can be saved at this point ?
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Huum! I’ve gone through ur text and to see myself guilt in all. And all i need is mercy of God and His grace to return. Somebody should please help in prayers.
I think I am a reprobate. I’m trying to get right with God but I can’t seem to. I keep playing. Hope the Lord will be merciful.
I know I am a reprobate because I have lived in habitual sin all my life. I can’t repent even when I try. I feel no love for anyone or anything. I constantly have nightmares. I know I am going to he’ll and scared to death. I am in constant torment. Each day is worse then the previous one. There is no hope for me. I start breaking out into sweat when I think of God Church or anything religious. I am paralyzed in fear and can’t leave my home. I am doomed!
Deuteronomy 4:29
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD the God, thou shalt fine Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul”.
Isaiah 55:6-7
“Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Dear Lisa, you speak as if there is no remedy for sin. This is why we must not be moved away from the hope of the gospel with an evil heart of unbelief. God says in Hebrews 3:12, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Sin hardens, and the end result is unbelief if we do not remain steadfast in our hope of eternal life through the sin atoning death of the Lord Jesus for His people.
I exhort you to look to Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross as your only hope of eternal life and not your faithfulness or lack thereof to God.
I have a hard heart. Liar. Sexual sins in mind and deed. If you want to repent but still are the same (know once I was saved) is there hope? Cried tears but need change. Should even an evil person keep trying to make it right with God (not works) but by prayer study anything?
Come to Christ , come as you are He that is Christ Jesus promised this
Joh_6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
This little one has been there , Come to Christ dear Jerome
If you have trouble coming to Christ , ask Christ to enable you to come to Him
Thank God he put this on your heart to share. Most helpful; although, I did disagree with the succession of sin given my own life experience and knowing I was not (praise The LORD) given over to a reprobate mind.
I am 56 and in so far I can’t see straight. I am a liar, living with a man who is not my husband (no sex) now, but before. I don’t have a few sins. I have a boat load. I should have forsaken all, but I did not. He’s not worth it, nothing is worth it. I’ve been proud, fornicated, sinned, stolen and lied. Now I am hopeless. A wake of destruction and someone to stay away from. I am my own worst enemy. Someone pray for me please. Gotten in too deep. Love the person I’m with as a friend. He is not my husband. I was once cleansed, but now nothing. I have nothing to give, but tasted of God’s amazing grace once and He is sooooo good. Best day of my stupid life. Christ have mercy.
Do not judge your eternal state by what you now feel. You may, by the terrors of the Lord be in anguish and tribulation and the very subbarbs of hell and yet never go there. God may be displeased and yet after a moments sorrow you may find Him to be your gracious and everlasting friend. You may be now thrown down but His hand and His promise may quickly raise you up again. You may conclude through the power of your dismal thoughts that you are a reprobate, and yet God may bring you to salvation at the end. You may lie in terror for many years but you cannot, you ought not to say that it will be so forever.
I myself have been so afflicted with such anguish and perplexity, under such dreadful apprehensions of the wrath of God, and of His power and greatness employed against me as I thought, that I thought myself in Him, thinking of it as not so much a place but as a state. I thought that my soul would be gathered with sinners, that I would be found at the left hand of Christ. I thought that I was cut down forever. Banished from the courts and from the presence of the Lord and should never see light, comfort, or refreshment anymore.
Yet through the grace of God, you see that I am revived and that I am not without hope as I once was. From the very gates of death, from the very door of destruction, I have come to tell you that though God is just, yet He is also gracious! There is mercy with Him, that He may be feared, and as the night comes, so will the morning also. For though we have provoked Him, which was our folly, yet, He will not contend forever which is our comfort.
(Timothy Rogers – Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy)
I wasted my life on sin. I don’t understand myself. I said I loved Jesus and did, but got into sexual immorality, so now there is no hope, only fear of judgment and misery, or does God still love me? What to do? Only trust and obey, and I so did when I was young, until I became a teen and got involved with pot and sex and self centered love and folly. It made me repent and then what zeal and joy! but what a waste. Woe is us. I don’t know anything anymore. I don’t trust myself or anything. I just know every knee shall bow. So long ago that I was enlightened. So wonderful. Nothing good lasts forever. Sigh….
You described a really bad and compromised place to be. Where the certainty of salvation is in question. Where we wonder if the love of Christ is really in us. Where we ask if we are counterfeit? I can relate. Tooooooo many believers can relate. I am ashamed that the most significant testimony I have to offer to younger generations is to plead with them to not go there. Don’t go to the cross and then into the depths of moral sin. It is a disqualifying descent that we may never recover from and we miss that which the Lord had for us. Pray for peace. We may still be welcomed to fathers table because we are still sons and daughters, but we may have lost our royal inheritance in the kingdom. Being saved was default. Walking out our inheritance with Christ was a calling. But instead we did what we wanted at the time it really counted to do as he wanted. So here we are now. Wondering where we fit in.
“No one who putteth his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” I am guilty of this, and I feel that we are all guilty of this in greater and lesser degrees. Man has sin bound in his heart, and he becomes bound to that sin; be it fornication, rebellion, or pride- self-will, the wellspring of many sins. The salvation offered by Jesus Christ requires saving faith, and in this present darkness saving faith is becoming a rarity. “No man can come unto me unless the father which sent me first draw him.” God then convicts (convinces, reasons with) the sinner that he is under judgement. The sinner can assent intellectually that this is so, and be broken over his condition before God, yet putting his hand to the plow and looking back. There is a precondition for salvation: repentance; turning from sin to the saviour. And many have a hard time turning for their sins, and relinquishing their FULL will and heart to seeking God. As when Israel came out of Egypt, they had things they wanted to hold onto, and the evil heart of unbelief that doubts the promises and person of God. I am guilty of this. I think many if they were introspective and “examined themselves to prove whether they be in the faith” would find this so, to degrees. Then there has to be the CALL of God, where God will call the sinner unto Himself. I think I have been saved, but I have no assurance of my salvation, and wonder if I have been saved at all. “Know ye not that the spirit of God is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Saving faith is more than an intellectual assent It is trusting in Jesus alone, answering his call. I wonder if I have heard the voice of God, or has my mind been playing tricks on me? I believe, but am plagued by doubts and unbelief, my conscience pointing out character flaws and sinful habits that are not fruit of a child of God. I lack assurance, and feel I must lack faith as well.
I have sunken into a reprobate mind and know that I cannot get out. I try to read and pray at times but I get bored with it and move on to more enjoyable things. I worry about it but not so much lately. I sin deliberately and in some way I am proud of it, it that makes any sense at all. I have read all the articles and in some instances there seems to be a want to change but that want is often blotted out. I struggle to make sense of it all and I hope that I live a long time but in the end I know deep within my heart that I have a hatred towards God that is festering. I can’t explain it but I try to talk to God but I feel Him pushing me away. I know this may sound crazy but I can attest to the facts of a reprobate mind and yes they don’t want to be there but they have long since passed the point of changing. It’s like riding in a car with someone and they decide to kill themselves and you are locked in. No matter if you ride it out or jump out you are still doomed and this is the misery that strikes the person down. Hell is real and I can say that I am experiencing the slightest manifestation of it here by means of knowing that I had the chance to stop it or get out of it but didn’t and waited too long. Don’t wait too long because one day can change the direction of your eternity.
The definition of a reprobate mind definitely applies to me. I have sunken deep in this situation like a dog returning to his own vomit. My sin of pornography addiction is causing me to go through a divorce with no hope of going back as I have been very abusive and selfish. I am deeply sorry, but how do I change? My 40 plus year sin problem has been exposed to my whole family for what it is and now my own two adult married kids do not want anything to do with me thinking I am a sexual deviant. I know the truth, but love the sin. Right now, I feel disgusted and sorry, but pray that my heart is transformed. I read the scripture and am really scared right now and wonder if there is any hope for me. I am such a powerful liar and don’t know if I am telling the truth to myself when I am trying to pray and repent. I feel utterly alone and hopeless, frightened and fearful of facing God on judgement day. I am really good on my job and everyone at work likes me as I am living a double life that I don’t want to live any more. HELP ME LORD!
Greg there is hope. I believe that all sin is forgivable except one: the sin of unbelief. God tells us if we are guilty of one sin, we are guilty of all. The hope is that you are still alive in God’s providence and God promises that He will receive all that come pleading the righteousness of Christ alone to be delivered from all their sin. Hear therefore the promises of your Creator: Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD the God, thou shalt fine Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul”. Isaiah 55:6,7 “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 10:25)
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(1st Peter 4:7, James 5:8, 2nd Peter 3:11 )
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
(Romans 8:13, 1st Thessalonians 4:7, 1st Thessalonians 3:13)
Psalm 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
“This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” (Luke 15:2)
This was spoken by the Pharisees, in a derogatory way, as they despised and hated Christ, for they were attempting to earn salvation by their own works. Their sneering statement was a tremendous truth.
What a wonder of wonders we have here! An infinite, holy and sin-hating God, receiveth poor, sinful rebels in the Person of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ, God’s well-beloved Son. These sinners that come, are those whom God has chosen from all eternity, and given to His beloved Son, Immanuel. The pure doctrine is, they come to be received by Jesus, by the drawing love of the Father.
Well, what sort of sinners are they? Are they the cream of mankind? Are they sinners who are not as bad as some sinners? Are they sinners that God knows that if He gives them space and time, they will naturally become wise, improve their lives, so that they are worthy to be saved? Are they sinners that have at last been able to fulfil the law of God? No! No! For these poor sinners know that they are completely lost, absolutely ruined, abandoned wretches and infidels by nature. We think of the dying thief, the poor, mad Gadarene, abandoned Manasseh, and Mary Magdalene possessed by seven devils.
Why are they coming? Because they need a great salvation. They need everlasting mercy. They need all their sins to be washed away. They need a complete saving all their journey through. They need preparation for the swellings of Jordan, that they may pass over safely into the promised land. They need the angel of His presence every step of the way, and in their many trials and tribulations, they need the mighty God of Jacob, to command deliverances for them. They come to be saved by grace.
They have to come in all their spiritual conflicts and temptations. They have to come with all their trials, burdens and cares. They have to come asking for more grace that is alone sufficient to bring them safely through to the end. They have to come casting all their cares and worries upon Him. They are sweetly taught in all their comings to plead the infinite merit of a precious Christ.
Where do they come to? Why! They come to that blessed place called the throne of grace, or as typified in the cermonial law, the blood-sprinkled mercy seat. They come to what is sometimes called the footstool of mercy and grace. They come to the feet of the dear Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. They come to the only refuge for sinners which is provided by a faithful God who is of infinite compassion and of tender mercy.
Are they received? Yes! Yes! The Scriptures show plainly that coming sinners are received. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus also said, “And him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Whatever the burdens, sins and trials, the poor, seeking soul shall prove, “He is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Who receives them? The dear Lord Jesus who is now in heaven, and He fulfils His word, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them” (Isaiah 41:17). Jesus is that true, loving and faithful Friend of sinners who come repenting toward Him, because they believe that He is the Christ.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2nd Corinthians 6:17-18).
“Returning prodigals shall find,
Though they are base, their Father’s kind.”
Jesus receives them! Their supplications are received, their persons are received, and they are blessed. This is all through the love of Christ and the merit of Christ. These are sweet seasons, and they can truly say with David, “I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2)
When the LORD hears our poor prayers, may we truly lay His goodness much to our hearts. Sadly, we can so easily forget, for we are such leaky vessels.
As we look back, may we value the former mercies received, and may we take courage to continue in the faith, “Looking unto Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2)
“Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalm 40:4)
Herman, thanks for writing this article. Very good parsing of the word of God. What i find interesting in Paul’s writing is that he does not provide real life examples of this descent into madness in the life and times of his culture or in the history of Israel–it is all phrased in general terms of a specific sequence. Perhaps it was done to provide an opening to the minds of his listeners to lead to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in individuals lives or to allow for additional fruitful sermons within the context to the Roman church where this letter was written. The other thing surprising that Pauls argument he sets forth is what does this look like in terms of larger society or nation given over to a reprobate mind. Certainly Sodom comes to top of mind or the hardening of the heart of Pharoah of Egypt or the fall of Solomon. From a historical perspective, what was occuring in Paul’s own days with Rome’s Caesars, and in Jerusalem in the late 60’s AD comes to mind how that God was bringing destruction upon them for rejection of Yeshua. During those years, increasing internal destruction of non stop factions and murder occurred within Jerusalem’s streets leading up to its destruction in AD 70 by Rome—looking back, this was a spirit of madness. This occured as the Lord said would happen because of unbelief and the warped minds of the priests for rejecting the Saviour. In our recent time, the descent into madness of the 3rd Reich should be considered top of mind of what happens when a society breaks the moral laws of God with no limits–it took the German state down to utter destruction. And in our time, we see a moral breakdown of tyranny from institutional covid lies and malfeasance taking many nations down a path towards upheaval and economic ruin…this particular societal madness is not finished yet and we do not know how this will end–many Christians believe though that this has the earmarks of the spirit of global totalitarianism and the rise antichrist. Thank you.
“Remove from me the way of lying.”
(Psalm 119:29)
How we should be humbled by such a prayer as this, for it is evidently an appropriate one for all the LORD’s people. The fact that it is not only recorded in Holy Writ, but here in the 119th Psalm, rather than in the prayer of a particular individual on some special occasion, plainly intimates this.
There is nothing in all the Old Testament of wider latitude and of more general application, than the various petitions found in this Psalm, each of them is pertinent to the experiences and exigencies of all the saints, and the one now before us is certainly no exception, no matter how hesitant we may be to acknowledge the truth of it. Reader and writer alike are spiritual liars, guilty of dissembling before both man and God.
There are different kinds of lies; some are spoken, others are acted; some are intentional, others involuntary. We often pretend to be what we are not, and are indictable with much formality. We are guilty of making promises to God which we break; of uttering penitential confessions while our hearts are hard and unaffected; of asking for spiritual blessings for which we have no felt need; or returning thanks for mercies which have made no impression upon us. All of this is a species of abominable dissimulation.
When we are convicted and made conscience of the same we cry, “Remove from me the way of lying!” Below is a message recently sent to two dear souls who enjoy little assurance; may it please the LORD to make the same a blessing unto others of His distressed family.
“Remove from me the way of lying.” How well suited is this petition to the quickened child of God, who is often made painfully conscious of how much insincerity and hypocrisy is mixed up with his worship, supplications, repentance, and thanksgivings! When an honest heart examines his religious life, reviews his prayers, and ponders his character and conduct, he perceives how little reality and how much dissimulation characterizes all his spiritual exercises, until at times it seems that he himself and all pertaining to his solemn profession is only a sham. If it were not so it would be quite useless for him to pray.
“Remove from me the way of lying.” Observe how strongly this is expressed, not simply “deliver me from lying,” but “the way of lying”, a regular course, a confirmed habit.
Now the very fact that we find this petition so well-suited to our case, supplies clear evidence that we must be among those who are enabled to see themselves in God’s light, for no Satan-blinded and sin-deceived soul feels and knows himself to be a spiritual liar.
Moreover, the petitions which the Spirit of Truth has so graciously recorded in this 119th Psalm are most obviously neither designed for nor suited, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Should not this very consideration at least revive the spark of assurance which so often waxes dim in your breasts? Furthermore, the very fact that you can, from the depths of your soul, feelingly pray, “Remove from me the way of lying” is clear proof that you are not among those who love darkness rather than light. You want to be genuine with God, to be delivered from all insincerity, and this evidences an honest root amid the rank weeds and thistles of deception and formality.
Perhaps you answer, I follow you thus far, but alas, I have not the ear of God. Countless times have I confessed to Him my lack of sincerity, and begged Him, (in substance at least, if not in those identical words) to “Remove from me the way of lying”; but so far from my prayer being answered, I am conscious of increasing unreality in my devotions.
Thank God that you are so conscious, dear brother and sister, if God had given you up “to a reprobate mind” (as He had the sovereign right to do, and as He has countless millions of our fellow creatures), then you would be quite unconscious of “the deceitfulness of sin,” quite indifferent to the unreality of your devotions. I ask you, frankly, Is it not so? Yet, perhaps, that hardly removes your difficulty.
But this does, “Remove from me the way of lying,” like many another prayer, awaits its answer until the life to come! We were born in “the way of lying”, it is the very sphere in which “the flesh” lives, moves and has its being; the way of lying ends only when the flesh itself is removed. Until then, the quickened soul is burdened, exercised, shocked, plagued, grieved by it, by the unreality and formality of his devotions, and that very grief finds expression in this prayer which is so well suited to some exercises of soul.
Then step out of your mental gloom for a moment, into the warm sunshine of the clear implications of this verse, and thank God for having placed in your hands, yes, and put into your mouths, such a prayer as this, which, because it is so well suited to your case, denotes that you are entitled to make use of the same; which, in turn, proves you belong to that quickened company who are painfully aware of the plague of their own hearts.
Arthur Pink – 1937