If we examine the subject of a reprobate mind, we find we must first answer a few questions. What is a reprobate mind? What does the Bible have to say about a reprobate mind? Who has a reprobate mind? Certainly, not the least of these questions might be, do any of us have a reprobate mind?
If any one of us should happen to have a reprobate mind, would we want someone else to point out to us the truth that we have a reprobate mind? Probably not! But should we? The scriptures states yes!
Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
“Reprobate” is just one of those English words that just sound nasty! It is like the word “abomination”. It just sounds really bad!
One might say:
“Well, that is just an abomination”! Just sounds bad, doesn’t it?
“Well, that is just reprobate”! That sounds almost just as bad, doesn’t it?
The Apostle Paul made a statement about himself, in 1st Cor., and if we give serious thought to this statement, we can see that becoming reprobate of being reprobate is a very serious subject.
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Greek word for “castaway” is translated six other times in the New Testament as
“reprobate”, once as “rejected”, and only this one time as “castaway”.
That verse reads a bit funny for modern English! “I keep under my body,” sounds like that there might be two of him!
If you go the Interlinear Greek or Strong’s Concordance, and plug some of the definitions into this Scripture, you will find that a better rendition of this verse would be this:
1 Cor 9:27 “But, I bring the passions of my body under control, and into subjection to myself, to the point that my body is a slave to me, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should become reprobate. (JTMV)
Paul is saying that there was the possibility of him becoming reprobate and that he, himself, must always guard against allowing himself to become reprobate.
Since that word sounds so bad, we need to be sure we know just what “reprobate” means!
Reprobate in the Greek is #96 adokimos (ad-ok'-ee-mos); from 1 (as a negative particle) and 1384; unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally):
The KJV translates this word as; castaway, rejected and reprobate.
If you go to the 1828 version of Webster’s Dictionary, you will find this definition: Reprobate: Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard of purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected; To disapprove with detestation or marks of extreme dislike
Now, that is a good definition of the word “reprobate” as it is used in the Bible. The King James translators used a very good English word to describe the Greek word “reprobate”, which is #96 in the Strongs Greek dictionary.
1. That which cannot endure proof or trial is certainly unapproved, and should be rejected and disallowed!
2. That which is not of the standard of purity or fineness is certainly unapproved, and should be rejected and disallowed!
3. That which is worthless should be met with disapproval, detestation and marks of extreme dislikes!
Now, if we want to see just how far the devil will go to confuse the Scriptures, look at how he is trying to manipulate the English language, with modern Dictionaries. If we go to the American Heritage Dictionary and look up the word “reprobate”, we will find this definition:
(AHD) reprobate 1. A morally unprincipled person; shameless. 2. Theology. One who is predestined to damnation. 3. Theology. Rejected by God and without hope of salvation. 4 To disapprove of; condemn. 5. Theology. To abandon to eternal damnation.
WOW! The 1828 definitions and the modern definitions of the word “reprobate” are not even close to each other.
The American Heritage Dictionary gives three definitions of “reprobate” and states that these are “theology” definitions, as if they might be some kind of “spiritual authority”. They are not!
1. One who is predestined to damnation.
2. Rejected by God and without hope of salvation.
3. To abandon to eternal damnation.
The American Heritage Dictionary is “reprobate” concerning its definitions of reprobate. Those are lies of Satan printed right there in the so-called “modern” dictionary! If you use these definitions to define your doctrine, your theology will be messed up really bad, all the way into error, big time!
We will look at “reprobate” from the scriptures and make sure that we have a correct Biblical understanding of the position, of becoming “reprobate”, or being “reprobate”.
According to the Apostle Paul, he had the understanding, and stated in the Scriptures, that even after, he, himself, had been preaching the Gospel that it would be possible for him to get into the position of “becoming reprobate”. If the Apostle Paul could become reprobate, then we should suspect that it is possible for anyone, of us, to become “reprobate”.
If we ask most Christians, “What do you know about a reprobate mind”? Many would tell you about God giving those, wild folks in Romans, over to a reprobate mind! Right?
Rom 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;
Now, all we have to do is to back up a little bit in the Scripture to see what Paul is giving witness to!
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Now most of us have read this part of the Bible and are very familiar with the uncleanness to which Paul is referring to here. Paul does not tip toe around this issue. Paul tells it like it is!
26b God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
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;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Wow! How about all of that? Now when we read this account of those people, who were turned over to a reprobate mine, and see all the negatives and uncleanness that is associated with, their having a reprobate mind, then we can understand why that we would, certainly, not make any friends by telling someone that they have a reprobate mind. We might start a fistfight!
There is some ugly stuff in that list, is there not? Paul did not say here, that if you have a “reprobate mind”, that you will do, all of these things listed here. This is just a partial list of things that anyone, with a reprobate mind, could possibly enter into.
When we read this list of evils associated with the reprobate mind, our own mind will register those really bad things and we will subconsciously say, “Haven’t done that, haven’t done that, haven’t done that, and we feel pretty good about ourselves.
However, let’s take a look at some of this list, which our mind will subconsciously jump over, just because it does not register as with us as “really bad”! Why? Because we have done those few items, ourselves! Since we have done those few items, they just don’t register in our mind as “really bad”, at least as we see it from our own perspective anyway!
We must know that we tend to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions, and of course, our intentions are always right and good! Well most of the time anyway!
Here is some of the list that we might consider not to be really bad:
Disobedient to parents. (Has any one here ever been disobedient to their parents?)
Covenant breakers. (Has anyone here ever divorced a spouse?)
Backbiters. (Has anyone here ever talked about someone behind their back?)
Fornication. (Has anyone here ever had sexual relation outside of marriage?)
Deceit. (Has anyone here ever told a lie?)
One might be saying, “Well brother, those things are just not that bad!” Do we know the reason why we might say that? Because we have done those very things ourselves! However, we can still feel pretty good about ourselves, because, at least, we have not done those really bad things listed here, like;
Inventors of evil things.
Haters of God.
Wickedness.
Full of all unrighteousness.
Homosexuality.
Lesbianism.
Unmercifulness.
Well, is it possible that we could have a reprobate mind, even though we have not entered into those “gross sins”, but we’ve only entered into those “widely accepted sins”, which almost everybody does?
What about, if we are a pretty good person, who almost never does any of these sins in this list, is it still possible to have a reprobate mind? Yes it is!!!
We will make a statement now that will challenge our thinking and our doctrine. Our mind will want to slam shut, but don’t turn off, because we will teach our self back into your good graces! This is a very highly important teaching!
The statement is this: “Most of the people of America, most of the churches of America, most of the Government of America, and maybe even some of us really good people probably have a reprobate mind!” Did any mind slam shut?
That is a heavy statement, so we shouldn’t allow our mind slam shut. Pay close attention and let’s learn just what the Bible states as being reprobate or having a reprobate mind!
All the list of things, which Paul listed in Romans, is not what “caused” the mind to become reprobate. That list is just some of the areas, into which, any person with a reprobate mind could possibly enter into. The Bible did not say that you would, surely, enter into all of those behaviors.
Let’s look at what the Bible states as the “cause” and “constitution” of a reprobate mind! Notice what precedes this list of sins here in the book of Romans.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:
There was a “cause”, for which God gave them over to a reprobate mind, and we can learn, exactly, what that “cause” was. It was not the sins that came first. The “cause” came first and then the sins followed the “cause”. It is very important that you see this truth! The “cause” preceded the list of sins!
So, what was the “cause”? It is a two-fold cause, which we will explain later, but now we are building a case.
Notice this! These people, here in Romans, are not a bunch of unlearned barbarians. They are everyday “go to work and do business” type people, just like we are.
These people had the Truth of God revealed unto them! However, what they did with the Truth of God is what became their big problem and was the “cause”!
Rom 1:17 For therein (THE GOSPEL) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Paul is stating plainly here, that even after a person has heard the good news, or the Gospel Truth of the righteousness of God, and even understood that Truth, that, any person can still go on to hold that Truth in unrighteousness.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. (HOW PLAIN IS THAT?)
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
These Scriptures state plainly that the Truth of God has not been withheld from any single person on the face of the earth, even if someone does not have a Bible, nor had missionaries visit them! Verse 20 tells us, that the eternal power of God, and The Godhead, has been clearly understood, by all men. Paul states this truth again in Titus.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
The writer of Hebrews also gives us an account of the Gospel being preached to God’s people of the Old Testament, and then uses them to warn us against falling into the same sin of unbelief.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
The problem has been, in times past, just as it is now, in these present days, which is; Hearing the Truth of Gods Word, and understanding the Truth of Gods Word, and then, by an act of our will, choosing not to retain God’s Word in our mind to the point that we can follow God’s word, but rather, we choose an alternative course. This is “the cause”, in the passage in Romans, which caused those people to be given over to a reprobate mind.
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Changed in the Greek is #3337 metallasso (met-al-las'-so); from 3326 and 236; to exchange:
#236 allasso (al-las'-so); from 243; to make different:
Verse 25 should read; “who exchanged the Truth of God for a lie, or who made the truth of God into a lie”.
Therein lays the explanation of the two-fold “cause” of becoming “reprobate”.
1. Anyone who has had the Truth of God given to them, and they understand it clearly, but later choose to go with something that opposes the Truth of God has become “reprobate”!
2. Anyone who has had the Truth of God given to him or her, and he or she understands it clearly, but chooses to make the Truth of God into a lie, or exchanges the truth for a lie, has become “reprobate”!
In the case of number one, a perfect Bible example would be Adam and Eve. They were given the Word of God, and understood it clearly, but willfully chose the opposing word of Satan.
In the case of number two, a perfect Bible example would be the early Jewish believers. Even though they preached to the Gentiles, salvation by grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast, in Acts 15 they had made the Law of Moses a part of the truth in order to be saved.
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Going back to verse 20, the Bible states that these people had clearly see and had clear understanding of the Godhead and God’s eternal power, but by verse 31, they are without understanding
“Lack of understanding” is a direct result of having a reprobate mind. However, keep in mind that the “cause” of a reprobate mind, by the people here in Romans, or by any one of us today, is because of a choice made, by us.
After any person, has come to the place of knowing and understanding God and His Word, and then that person makes a choice, to choose anything else, as their standard of acceptance, then that person is subject to “becoming reprobate” in their mind!
Rom 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;
Retain is #2192 echo (ekh'-o); including an alternate form scheo (skheh'-o); used in certain tenses only); a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possessions; ability, continuity, relation, or condition):
The two-fold cause of a reprobate mind is this: when the Truth of God is manifested unto a man and that man clearly sees and understands the Truth of God, but then that man chooses to (#1) not retain the knowledge of God, or to exchange the Truth of God for a lie, or (#2) chooses to make the Truth of God into a lie.
If you study the beginnings of America, as a Nation, you will find that, getting out from under “Government controlled religion” was one of the strong reasons that caused the Founding Fathers to leave their homelands and form this Nation under the guide of Bible principles.
If you read some of the statements made, by many of the founding Fathers, we can see that religion, to them, meant God the Father and His Word of Truth (the Bible) and Jesus Christ, the only savior of mankind, and they did not want government to have ability to control the worship of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The founding Fathers wrote into the Bill of Rights “the protection for the American people from the government of America, to never be able control Christianity, or the free speech thereof”. This is precisely stated in the “Bill of Rights”!
Article the third [Amendment I]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
How about that? “Freedom of speech” and “freedom of the press” and “the right to assemble to petition the government” were all stated, after, the “right of the American people” to be protected from the American Government to legislate laws to control religion”.
Christianity is now the most attacked religion by the Government of America! Can we say “reprobate” politicians? Well, vote those people out of office!!! They have become reprobate concerning the Bill of Rights.
In the early times of America, the churches handled much of the education and the Bible was one of the main textbooks, used in the classroom. There is no statement in our Constitution or Bill of Rights, declaring the separation of church and state. However, that statement is part of the constitution of the former Soviet Union.
Even though the founding Fathers were wise enough to exclude government from being able to make laws to control religion or to prohibit the freedom of expression of this religion, our nation’s government has become reprobate.
The reprobate lawmakers have passed laws removing prayer out of the schools and public places and made the Bible an offence in the schools and public places. That is a perfect demonstration of the meaning of “reprobate”. One does not have to look very far, to see the effects of these government actions, on the minds of the children, who are being taught in the public schools and public universities today. Enough said!
If you study the history of the church, you will find that many times, in the past, there has been a group of people, who realized that “churchology” had failed to properly represent God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Some small groups began to seek God and His presence, with all of their heart, and the presence of the Lord showed up with signs and wonders following. People got baptized with the Holy Spirit. Praying in other tongues was a major happening, in those groups. Healings and miracles were manifested openly, and in abundance. Many of our major denominations were birthed out of some of these revivals. However, if you look at some of these same denominations today, you will find that, many of them are now, actually teaching against some of the very basic principals, which were a major vital part of their beginnings. They have become “reprobate”!
The Apostle Paul was commissioned by God, and taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the “doctrine” pertaining to the dispensation of Grace, which is also called “the Church age”. Paul knew his calling and in one of his teachings, Paul includes this statement about himself:
1 Cor 9:17b a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
Paul states this same truth to the Ephesians Church:
Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Paul makes this same declaration to the Colossian Church.
Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Paul had to continually deal with the Jewish leaders and many others who did not respect his “God appointed” authority, as an Apostle. They would tell those, whom Paul had been teaching, that he was a heretic and a reprobate, and should not be listened to.
Paul was very concerned about those who would try to discredit him, and those would not believe the Truth of the Gospel, and those who would try to change the Truth of God’s Word into a lie. Paul did not want these new believers to suffer shipwreck!
Paul continually warns the believers, in the early churches, about these people.
2 Cor 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Paul gives a list of characteristics, of these people who are opposing his Gospel, to Timothy, and warns Timothy to beware of these people.
2 Tim 3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Paul is giving young Timothy some sound advice about these people who have a reprobate mind and how he must stay away from these people. It is important what we allow ourself to hear! Jesus, Himself, said so;
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given
Matt 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you
Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Luke 8:18a Take heed therefore how ye hear:
Luke 21:8a And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
Jesus was very concerned about what we allow ourselves to hear. Jesus was very concerned about
who we hear it from. Jesus knew that there would always be false teachers in the world.
The Apostle Paul had the same concern over the early believers. He tells Timothy to be sure, of whom, you are being taught and who you are learning from!
2 Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all, the Lord delivered me.
The Apostle Paul sent Titus to the Island of Crete to get those guys in order, that is, to appoint Elders and Bishops. If you go read the list of things these guys would have to give up, in order to be Elders or Bishops, you would think that Paul is talking about the unbelievers on the Island, but he is talking about the believers here at Crete. Even one of the native writers on the island had some bad things to say about these guys.
Notice again, Paul’s statement of being entrusted with the Gospel, and his delegation of that authority given over to Titus, here at Crete.
Titus 1:3 But (GOD) hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Paul gives the list of qualities, of which, an Elder or Bishop “must not have”, and then he give some qualities, which they “must have”. Then Paul follows with this statement, about the ones to whom Timothy should teach the gospel.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (OR DISPUTERS).
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Notice what a resident of the Island of Crete says about the people of the island, to which Paul gives a witness, and then instructs Titus how to deal with these believers.
Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The Apostle Paul was very concerned about his doctrine, which was given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2nd Cor.12, Paul says that he was caught up into the third heaven and given an abundance of revelation and even heard some words, which he was not allowed to utter or speak.
Remember that Paul said that there was a possibility that he could preach to other and then become reprobate, himself, and that was why he kept himself under subjection to the sound doctrine, which he learned from the Lord Jesus? Notice the warning Paul gives in Galatians.
Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The Apostle Peter became a real stickler for the Word of Truth, and warned against those who would take you down their own teaching road to “another gospel”.
2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines Heresy: In Scripture and primitive usage, heresy meant merely sect, party, or the doctrines of a sect, as we now use denomination or persuasion, implying no reproach.
pernicious. 1.a. Tending to cause death or serious injury; deadly. b. Causing great harm; destructive. 2. Archaic. Evil; wicked.
feigned 1.a. To give a false appearance of. b. To represent falsely; pretend to. 2. To imitate so as to deceive. 3. To fabricate. 4. Archaic. To invent or imagine.
I know that we have been a bit laborious, in showing some or the warnings of the scriptures, about becoming reprobate concerning the Word and faith. However, many believers do not really study the Bible to see if their favorite Pastors and Teachers are preaching sound doctrine. I hope that this is beneficial to believers, in causing each of us to search the Scriptures to see if these things are so!
There have been men of the past, even back to the early church, who have become reprobate, concerning the faith. Out of this reprobate mind spirit, there have developed denominations, persuasions, ministries, personalities and practices, which will not stand scrutiny of the Holy Scriptures. How can we have one Bible and a thousand denominations teaching different doctrines?
The problem has come to us, in the form of, “the blind leading the blind” and Jesus said that they would both end up in the ditch. Jesus did not say that they both had to stay in the ditch. Jesus said that we could be purged, cleaned, and pruned by the Word.
Paul said it this way;
2 Tim 2:15 Study (NOT JUST READ) to show yourself, approved unto God, a workman that has no need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
rightly dividing is #3718 orthotomeo (or-thot-om-eh'-o); to make a straight cut, i.e. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message):
dissect 1. To cut apart or separate (tissue), especially for anatomical study. 2. To examine, analyze, or criticize in minute detail.
Every person in the body of Christ has been given the commandment to rightly divide the Word of Truth. We must be willing to let the Word of God be the judge, of every principal and doctrine, which has ever been taught to us by denominations, ministries, authors, parents, grandparents, peers, TV, internet or any other media of teaching.
If any small detail, of that which we have learned through any teaching, does not line up with the Word of God, then we must be willing to renew our minds to the Word of God and purge ourselves of all the wood, hay and stubble, of wrong teaching and wrong doctrine.
Just as the Apostle Paul said that it was possible that he could “become” reprobate, the reciprocal is also true. If we have been lead into a reprobate teaching, then with the correct teaching of the Word of God, our mind can move from “being” reprobate, to “becoming” not reprobate, concerning the faith. Praise Go for that!
Hebrews chapter 5 shows us the difference between, the High Priest, which were taken from the Leviticus Tribe and made High Priest, with infirmities of their own, compared to Jesus, who had no infirmities of his own, who was made our High Priest forever, by God. Verse 2 tells us about one of the functions of the office of High Priest.
Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
them that are out of the way is #4105 planao (plan-ah'-o); from 4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):
4106 plane (plan'-ay); feminine of 4108 (as abstractly); objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety:
4108 planos (plan'-os); of uncertain affinity; roving (as a tramp), i.e. (by implication) an impostor or misleader;
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
If we all were taught, by the Spirit of Truth, we would all be speaking the same thing.
When we are being guided into all Truth, by the Spirit of Truth, then we will be able to endure proof or trial, and maintain a standard of purity or fineness, and we will disallow and reject every wind of doctrine and commandments of men, and disapprove with detestation or marks of extreme dislike, all denominationalism, which has divided the body of Christ, and enticing words of mans wisdom, and traditions of men as taught by our elders, and all those false teachers, and those who lie in wait to deceive so they can make merchandise of us.
Grace and Peace multiplied in the name of Jesus.
Compiled by Jerry Thomas 12/01/2008
All scripture references are (KJV) unless otherwise denoted.
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