Recently, God has been talking to me about stubbornness. In my family, stubbornness was seen as a unruly character of an immature child. When God told me I needed to address the issue of stubbornness in my heart, I thought I was going to be corrected for my immaturity. So I was hesitant to pursue this area of my heart with the Father.
When I eventually brought myself before the Father so He could speak into my life, I was surprised by what I discovered. Yes, The Father was bringing correction to my heart, but it was not a rebuke, only instruction for my growth and further maturity. He told me He wanted me to have more stubbornness at work in my heart. I was mildly shocked by this discovery. So I asked Him to, “Please explain.” The Father proceeded to lead me through the scriptures and showed me what He desired for me to understand about stubbornness.
So what is this stubbornness God was telling me I needed to have? Stubbornness is to be obstinate, unyielding, inflexible, and unbending. Stubbornness is very difficult to change or overcome. Stubbornness is headstrong, wilful, iron-willed, strong-willed, self-willed, and self-controlled. It is uncompromising, relentless, persistent, tenacious, and resistant. Stubbornness is obdurate – which means “refusing to change opinion or course of action”. Stubbornness is awkward and/or difficult to manage or control. It is contrary to the major (popular) idea or opinion. Stubbornness is determined not to change attitude or position on something, in spite of being given “good reasons” to do so. Stubbornness is to be single-minded, adamant, firm, steadfast, and determined.
God began to lead me through what He was talking about concerning having a stubborn heart. He was not talking about being stubborn against God, but being stubborn to hold on to God. God says to Ezekiel.
But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels. Ezekiel.3.8-9.NLT
And it says of Jesus that he set His face with determination and stubbornness to complete the Father’s will.
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke.9.51.ESV
We are to set the Lord continually before us so we cannot be moved, shaken or altered.
I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm.16.8.AMPC
We are determined not to change our position on this, even when we are given “good reasons” by others who do not understand our conviction and relentless persistence. Their “good advice” comes from their best intentions, but is no match for the wisdom of heaven.
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1.Corinthians.2.2.NASB
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans.1.16.ESV
This is a stubbornness which does not put us to shame. Isaiah said that he would set his face like a stone in determination to do God’s will.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah.50.7.NLT
When we are set in our heart, we are in alignment for God’s blessing. If we are not single-minded, we are unstable and God cannot bless us.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James.1.6-8.NKJV
This stubbornness causes us to have one mind, and singleness of focus. We become unyielding and unbending to any other thought, idea or opinion. With the mind of Christ, we become so headstrong for God that we refuse to change our opinion or course of action for anything else.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians.3.13-14.NLT
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1.Corinthians.9.24.NASB
Now as for you, be strong and never be discouraged, because there will be reward for your work. 2.Chronicles.15.7.ISV
Others cannot make us compromise what we stand for in the spirit. Our face set on God, the ultimate prize, with single-minded focus, we run our race determined to please Him only and receive the Father’s reward.
Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you. Isaiah.38.3.NLT
Stubbornness:
To be obstinate, unyielding, inflexible, unbending
Very difficult to change or overcome
Stubborn, headstrong, wilful, strong-willed, self-willed, self-controlled
One who is iron-willed, uncompromising, relentless
Obdurate - refusing to change opinion or course of action
Being persistent, tenacious, resistant
Awkward or difficult to manage or control, contrary to the major idea or opinion
Determined not to change attitude or position on something, in spite of “good reasons”
To be single-minded, adamant, firm, steadfast, determined