What New Testament teachings align with the warnings in Deuteronomy 28:28? The Old Covenant Warning Revisited Deuteronomy 28:28: “The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind.” • These three judgments—madness, blindness, confusion—picture a mind cut loose from God’s light and order. • The New Testament echoes each element when it describes the outcome of persistent unbelief. Jesus Exposes Spiritual Blindness • John 9:39: “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” • John 12:39–40: “For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts…’ ” • Matthew 15:14: “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” The Lord’s warnings match Deuteronomy’s curse: when light is rejected, eyesight—physical or spiritual—fails. Paul on the Depraved, Confused Mind • Romans 1:28: “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what is not right.” • Ephesians 4:17–18: “You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God…” • 1 Timothy 6:5: “…constant friction between men of depraved mind, who are devoid of the truth.” These passages echo the “madness” and “confusion” threatened in Deuteronomy—an inner disorder that erupts when people exchange God’s truth for lies. God Sends Delusion on Willful Unbelief • 2 Thessalonians 2:11: “For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” • Acts 28:26–27: “ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding…” ’ For this people’s heart has grown dull.” Just as Israel faced blindness for covenant infidelity, the New Testament warns that persistent rejection of the gospel invites divinely permitted deception. The Restorative Answer Found in Christ • 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts…” • Colossians 1:13–14: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” • 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” The same Lord who pronounced judgment also offers deliverance: new sight, soundness of mind, and peace for all who trust and obey Him. Walking in Covenant Faithfulness Today • Treasure Scripture so the mind stays anchored in truth (Psalm 119:105; John 17:17). • Welcome the Spirit’s renewing work that clears confusion (Romans 12:2). • Stay alert: continual rejection of light still leads to blindness, but continual submission to Christ keeps the heart clear (1 John 1:7). |
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