Stubborn

I’ve been called stubborn before and I’ve used this term to describe others. It is defined as: “having dogged determination not to change one’s mind or position on something in spite of good reasons or arguments to do so.” The word stubborn is often synonymous with “bull-headed”.  I think it’s ok at times to be stubborn but not simply for the sake of being stubborn.  Jesus was really frustrated by the stubborn hearts of the religious leaders. Check this out…

The Pharisees were members of a religious sect that was distinguished by strict observance of the law and most often appeared to be superior to others because of their understanding and obedience to the law. Jesus was dismantling their ridiculous position. Jesus was here to fulfill the law and introduce the Law of Love. The Pharisees couldn’t get past many of their “man-made interpretations of the law” and Jesus was challenging that law. He was distressed at their stubborn hearts. I don’t ever want to be characterized as having stubborn heart. I want a heart that is shapeable and moldable by the Spirit & Word of God. I don’t want to be so “set in my ways” that I can’t hear Him speak something fresh into my heart that would honor Him. My obedience to Him is not stuck in the past with a teaching, interpretation or opinion of a preacher or teacher from years ago. I want my heart to hear what He’s speaking to me today. This is not “relative truth”, it is “truth revealed” to me for my life. I was taught some things as “truth” that were really “opinion” and some teachers who taught me had “stubborn hearts” based on their opinion or interpretation of Scripture. I want the Lords heart – I want to understand the “Spirit of the Law” as well as the “Letter of the Law”. I don’t want a stubborn heart.