Proverbs 29:1….
“Stiff-necked,” “hard-hearted,” and “pigheaded” are all words for stubbornness that are usually applied in a negative sense. There are terms for stubbornness that are more positive such as strong, committed, relentless, and persistent.
It’s easy to see that stubbornness can have both positive and negative aspects.
So where do we draw the line when it comes to spiritual stubbornness? When is it good and when is it bad? Well, it’s good when we hold on to the good things of God – when we won’t let go of His promises – when having done all to stand and we stand – when it looks like we should give up, but we hold on to faith. Those are all good examples of spiritual stubbornness.
But spiritual stubbornness can also be a huge hindrance to us. For instance, if we stubbornly refuse to forgive someone, our prayers can be hindered. If we stubbornly hold on to our own understanding about God and His Word not allowing the Holy Spirit to bring new revelation and grace to our current situation, our stubbornness can be bad.
When we are spiritually stubborn, hard-hearted, and stiff-necked in a negative sense, it’s because one or more of the following are in our lives:
Unbelief: 2 Kings 17:14 But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God.
Pride: Nehemiah 9:16. But they and our fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks, and did not heed your commandments.
An Evil Heart: Jeremiah 7:24, But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.
All three of the above are rooted in our own selfish interest. That alone makes this kind of stubbornness evil. Having a sanctify spiritual stubbornness obviously requires that we substitute God’s interests for our own, just as Jesus substituted His own interest for that of the Father. Luke 22:42,
Saying, “Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Some people use this scripture when they are unsure of the Father’s will in a situation. For instance, they might pray for someone’s healing and then add the words, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done” as if there was some doubt as to His will in the matter. That is lack of faith and that’s not at all what Jesus was praying. He was praying a prayer that indicated His willingness to substitute the Father’s will for His own. Jesus was our example. We should willingly substitute our will for His in every situation in our lives.
Here are some questions that will help you determine just how sanctified your own stubbornness is:
Am I spoiled or obedient? Am I impatient or spiritual? Am I determined to have my own way or to be identified with Christ?
Am I stubbornly holding on to my way or have I substituted the Father’s will for my own?
We are functioning in sanctified spiritual stubbornness when we substitute God’s interest for our own and we won’t back down. I hope you will make every effort to be sanctified in your spiritual stubbornness. When is stubbornness a good thing?
Stubbornness can be a positive quality for a single person–but only when used the right way.
Most words have more than one definition. Over time, however, common usage narrows them to one. We usually think of stubborn people as strong willed, closed-minded, and bullheaded. Rarely do we consider one of the other definitions: determined.
If you want to talk about determined, Jesus fit that category. No matter how many times he was attacked and criticized by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes, he stayed on course.
Jesus never compromised with them. He never backed off from his position. He was steadfast when it came to preaching the truth.
John the Baptist was determined, too, and it led to his early death. He also preached the truth. When the truth is on a collision course with lies, there’s going to be a crash. We may “crash” a few times in our life. In those times when we are headstrong about the wrong things, we crashed” it is a slow, painful recovery on us. But in those times when we” crashed” for the right things, God pulled us out of the “wreckage,” healed us, and put us back on the road.
If you’re going to be stubborn, you have to do it for the right things. The Bible tells us what those right things are:
Eternal life through Jesus Christ; Faith in God despite outward circumstances; Forgiveness; Honesty; Compassion; Respect for God and his laws; the Great Commission of spreading the gospel.
Great crowds followed Jesus wherever he went. People were attracted to him. They wanted to be with him. Jesus wasn’t concerned about the rules of the Pharisees, like picking grain or healing on the Sabbath. He was unyielding about the right things–loving people and treating them with kindness.
On unimportant, inconsequential matters, we can afford to compromise. Bullheadedness just for the sake of selfishness is wrong. It makes us an unpleasant, repulsive person that nobody wants to be around. Check our own attitude. Are you determined about the right things or wrong things? Let the Bible be our guide. Determination–stubbornness for the things of God–is the hallmark of a Christian on the right path.
WHOSOEVER WILL WORSHIP MINISTRIES
www.wwwmjesus.net
Assoc. Pastor: Wesley Fulton
429 Bayou Rd, La Marque, Tx.77568
Need prayer Ch. Ph: 409/933-9878
