Avoiding a reprobate mind

What is a reprobate? The dictionary definition is morally depraved; unprincipled; bad. Sounds bad, doesn't it. In the KJV (King James Version) of the New Testament Paul says in Rom. 1:28 of a people who practiced bad things, according to context, God gave them over to a reprobate mind - paraphrased. Paul lists a number of acts that caused this. We should want to avoid a reprobate mind.

Are we reprobates? I hope not. I try to keep from being. I would hope that you do too. Reprobate even sounds bad, doesn't. Well, "reprobate" comes from the KJV. Other versions use different words, but the meaning is the same. The NIV (New International Version) says it this way (full quote): "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Depraved sounds like reprobate to me.

You can read what it was that caused God to give over in Romans chapter 1. What is mentioned there, and it is wide reaching, caused God to give them over. That says to me that God gave up on them. We do not want God to give up on us. I don't. I should therefore avoid the reprobate, depraved mind, but should seek to do the things that God would be pleased with.

Repentance, called for in the Bible, must be met with deeds - otherwise it is not repentance. Without the deeds, God knows. Deeds are important. That is what we do. Paul explained to King Agrippa in Acts 26:20 of his work, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Indeed, God looks on our deeds - how we live. If our deeds are not right, not much is right, and at some point, God gives up on us as he did those Paul talked about in Romans 1.

So, for me, and I hope for you, we avoid the reprobate mind; that we seek always to do, act, in such a way that God keeps us in his fold. Let's not make God angry with us and how we act - not a good situation.

Let's throw in here that none of us - me included - are perfect. There are going to be times when we do not measure up. But I think God looks on the trend. Is it an upward trend or a spiraling down trend. That is up to us, I think.