Why did God give those people over to a reprobate mind?
They did not want to retain God in their knowledge; they held the truth underfoot and preferred an anti-God attitude. Therefore God acted judicially, giving them over to a reprobate mind, as with Pharaoh, removing restraints so they did things not normal or convenient.
Les explains that this judgment begins with an idolatrous heart—not necessarily bowing to a Buddha, but any anti-God attitude such as secular humanism or atheism that takes the Creator's place. They hold the truth underfoot and do not want to be bothered with God. Because they did not like or want to retain God in their knowledge, God again moves judicially and gives them over to a reprobate mind. Les compares this to Pharaoh: every time Pharaoh said no, God placed him in a harder spot and it hardened him more. God removes all restraints, so there is no inhibition; they do not care what people or God think. The result is a mind set on things not convenient—not normal, not enhancing society or community. Les notes these are not pretty verses, and he would not dare tell someone this is what they are like, but God can.
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;
More Questions
What happens to a person when God gives them over to a reprobate mind?
When God judicially gives someone over to a reprobate mind, He removes all restraints from them, so they have no inhibition and do not care what people or God think; the removal is a judicial act.
Why does God give someone over to a reprobate mind?
Because people did not like or want to retain God in their knowledge, God moves judicially and gives them over to a reprobate mind.
What does it mean that a reprobate mind does 'things which are not convenient'?
The things a reprobate mind leads a person to do are 'not convenient'—they are not normal and do not enhance society or community, and sooner or later those deeds will have their effects.