“The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of mind.” —Deuteronomy 28:28 (ESV)
Deuteronomy 28 is both sobering and clarifying. It lays before Israel the blessings of covenant faithfulness and the curses of rebellion. Verse 28 speaks directly to the consequences of turning away from God with hard hearts and disobedient lives: a loss of mental clarity, vision, and peace. “Madness,” “blindness,” and “confusion of mind” aren’t just poetic—they are deeply spiritual conditions that arise when we sever ourselves from the source of truth, wisdom, and order.
These words are not arbitrary punishments; they are the unraveling of the human mind when it chooses to live in defiance of God’s will. When a society, or a soul, walks in stubborn resistance to the voice of the Lord, the result is not neutral—it is disorientation. Without God, even our thoughts fall into chaos. Paul echoes a similar truth in Romans 1:28, where he describes God “giving them up to a debased mind.” The curse is not only external hardship, but inward decay—a mind that no longer functions in the truth.
Yet this verse, though stark, leads us to hope. For what is more precious than a Savior who came proclaiming liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind (Luke 4:18)? Jesus steps into our confusion. He calms the madman in the tombs. He gives sight to the physically and spiritually blind. He speaks peace to storm-tossed souls. The gospel reverses the curse.
A Word About Pearls and Swine:
Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:6—“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you”—is deeply connected to the principle in Deuteronomy 28:28. When a mind is darkened, confused, and hostile to God, it is in no state to receive the wisdom of God. Arguing morality with such a mind is like casting pearls before swine. There will be no success, only confusion, frustration, and failure—for the mind cannot rightly see what is true.
This is not a call to pride or judgment, but to discernment. Jesus is telling us that the truth of the gospel, and even the standards of godly living, are pearls—precious, beautiful, and holy. To force them upon someone who is unwilling or unready to receive them may not only be fruitless, it can provoke hostility. Just as Israel’s rejection of God’s voice led to confusion and blindness, so too does the refusal to hear Christ lead to a hardened heart and a darkened understanding.
This is why gospel ministry must always begin with prayer, love, and Spirit-led wisdom. We must not weaponize truth, but offer it in season—when the soil is ready, when the heart is softened, and when the Spirit has opened the eyes. We are not responsible for making someone believe, but we are responsible for stewarding the pearls we’ve been given with care and discernment.
Prayer:
Lord, when I drift from You, my thoughts grow restless and my heart confused. But You are not a God of confusion. You are the God of light and truth. Restore my mind by Your Spirit. Fix my eyes on Christ. And grant me the peace that passes understanding. Teach me, also, to walk in discernment—knowing when to speak, and when to pray and wait. May I never cast Your pearls recklessly, but always in love, in truth, and in step with Your Spirit. Amen.
