Stubbornness is a behavioral pattern that can either lead to progress or stall one’s spiritual growth. The Bible addresses this trait in diverse ways, highlighting both the positive and negative outcomes of stubbornness. This is explored through stories and teachings, which demonstrate that stubbornness can contribute to strength and resilience, but can also lead to negative repercussions when it is misdirected.
What Does the Bible Say About Stubbornness?
The Bible clearly warns about the risks and dangers associated with being stubborn. It views stubbornness as a trait that can lead to spiritual blindness and a seared conscience, which eventually results in self-destruction. The Bible admonishes that being stubborn can withhold blessings, lead to disobedience, and trigger consequences that can impact an individual adversely. Conversely, the Bible also encourages perseverance, a positive form of stubbornness, when faced with trials and tribulations.
Why Does the Bible Address Stubbornness?
The Bible teaches that stubbornness is a heart condition that hinders people’s growth and transformation. Through its teachings, the Bible indicates that those who can overcome stubbornness and submit to divine guidance can experience spiritual growth and fulfillment. The reason that the Bible talks extensively about stubbornness is in order to steer believers towards a path of repentance, reconciliation and restoration. This trait is also addressed because it puts a strain on relationships with others and with God.
Who Are the Examples of Stubborn Individuals in the Bible?
There are several examples of stubborn individuals in the Bible. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was known for his stubbornness, as he consistently denied Moses’ pleas to let the Israelites go. This led to a series of plagues and calamities that fell upon Egypt. King Saul is another figure who exhibited stubbornness by repeatedly disobeying God’s instructions, leading to his downfall. On the other hand, individuals such as Job and Daniel demonstrate a positive form of stubbornness, refusing to abandon their faith despite facing adverse circumstances.
When Does the Bible Celebrate Stubbornness?
The Bible celebrates stubbornness when it is expressed as steadfastness or unwavering faith in God. This positive form of stubbornness is praised as determination, persistence and resilience. Stories of individuals standing firm in their beliefs, despite facing hardships, are lauded in the Bible. Throughout these narratives, the Bible shows that stubborn devotion to God can produce enduring faith and can lead to blessings and God’s favor. For example, Job’s stubborn faith amid adversity is celebrated in the Bible.
Where Can We Find Lessons on Stubbornness in the Bible?
Lessons on stubbornness can be found throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. Many narrative accounts and teachings cast light on the implications of stubbornness, providing profound insights into how this trait can affect one’s spiritual journey. These lessons are found in the stories of various figures who dealt with stubbornness in their lives, offering clear guidance on how one can manage this trait in a way that promotes spiritual growth rather than impediment. Therefore, the Bible is a vital resource for lessons on understanding and managing stubbornness.
Below is our full list of bible verses on stubbornness (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Stubbornness
Proverbs 29:1
“1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
Related Themes: Criticism Respecting Your Parents Arguing Respecting Your Parents
Psalm 81:11-12
“11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”
Related Themes: Loneliness
Romans 2:5
“5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”
Related Themes: Repentance Heart Anger Judgment
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
John 5:30
“30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
Related Themes: Frustration Pleasing God Tough Decisions Ego Justice
1 Samuel 15:23
“23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Related Themes: Rebellion Fortune Manipulation Idolatry Disobedience
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Related Themes: Lust Business Addiction Satan Self-Control
Proverbs 12:1
“1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
Related Themes: Discipline Criticism Respecting Your Parents Morality Learning
Acts 7:51
“51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”
Related Themes: Criticism Holy Spirit
Zechariah 7:11
“11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.”
Related Themes: Indifference
Psalm 78:8
“8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”
Related Themes: Loyalty
Jeremiah 7:24
“24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.”
Matthew 13:23
“23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Related Themes: Harvest
Isaiah 48:4
“4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;”
Psalm 32:9
“9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”
Zechariah 7:11-12
“11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.”
Related Themes: Indifference
Exodus 32:9
“9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:”
Isaiah 46:12
“12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:”
Psalm 46:10-11
“10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Related Themes: Rest Patience Faith Letting Go Hope
Matthew 28:20
“20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Related Themes: Loneliness Nervousness Depression Breakups Omnipresence
Hebrews 3:7-12
“7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Today Procrastination Omnipresence
2 Kings 17:14
“14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.”
Jeremiah 23:17
“17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.”
Colossians 3:20
“20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Children Family Respecting Your Parents Learning
1 Samuel 15:19-23
“19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Leviticus 26:18
“18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”
Related Themes: Pride Reaping What You Sow
Nehemiah 9:29
“29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.”
1 Peter 5:6
“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Related Themes: Humility Frustration Anxiety Nervousness Love
