Consequences of Rejecting God's Conviction and Convincing
Rejecting God's conviction and convincing carries severe consequences, both in this life and eternally, as described throughout Scripture. This rejection is often characterized as rebellion, disobedience, and a despising of God's word [1, 2, 3].
One immediate consequence is the forfeiture of God's favor and promised blessings. Disobedience provokes God's anger and can lead to a curse rather than a blessing [3]. For instance, the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness resulted in a forty-year wandering and prevented them from entering Canaan [4]. Similarly, King Saul's rejection of God's word led to his rejection from kingship [1]. Those who despise God's law and counsels are seen as rebellious [2].
The Bible also speaks of a hardening of the heart and mind as a consequence of persistent rejection. When people turn away from God, their minds can become unsound, unable to use their intellect as God intended [5]. In some cases, God may even send a "strong delusion" to those who reject the truth, leading them further into error [6]. This is not merely a passive permission but a voluntary act by God to allow error to manifest, serving as a punishment for those who reject the Gospel [6].
Sources
- I Samuel “I Samuel 15:23 (YLT) — for a sin of divination <FI>is<Fi> rebellion, and iniquity and teraphim <FI>is<Fi> stubbornness; because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, He also doth reject thee from <FI>being<Fi> king.'”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rebellion Against God — Forbidden -- Nu 14:9; Jos 22:19. Provokes God -- Nu 16:30; Ne 9:26. Provokes Christ -- Ex 23:20,21; 1Co 10:9. Vexes the Holy Spirit -- Isa 63:10. Exhibited in Unbelief. -- De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25. Rejecting his government. -- 1Sa 8:7; 15:23. Revolting from him. -- Isa 1:5; 31:6. Despising his law. -- Ne 9:26. Despising his counsels. -- Ps 107:11. Distrusting his power. -- Eze 17:15. Murmuring against him. -- Nu 20:3,10. Refusing to hearken to him. -- De 9:23; Eze 20:8; Zec 7:11. Departing from him. -- Isa 59:13. Rebellion against governors appoi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 1: . How Moses Was Displeased At This, And Foretold That God Was Angry And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years And Not, During That Time, Either Return Into Egypt Or Take Possession Of Canaan. 1. Moses came now boldly to the multitude, and informed them that God was moved at their abuse of him, and would inflict punishment upon them, not indeed such as they deserved for their sins, but such as parents inflict on their children, in order to their correction. For, he said, that when he was in the tabernacle, a”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:28: 1:28 thought it foolish: Sin affects our actions and even our thoughts. One of the serious consequences of turning away from God is an unsound mind; people can no longer use their minds as God intended.”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 2:11: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,.... Or "efficacy of error", which God may be said to send; and the Alexandrian copy reads, "does send"; because it is not a bare permission but a voluntary one; or it is his will that error should be that truth may be tried, and be illustrated by its contrary, and shine the more through the force of opposition to it; and that those which are on the side of it might be made manifest, as well as that the rejecters of the Gospel might be punished; for the efficacy of error is not to be considered as a sin, ”