Be Not Stubborn

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart and be no longer stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:16

Stubborn? Who me? Who you?

Do you, like me, find there are still way too many times that you go your own way, choose to follow you own agenda?

There are times I would probably look no different than the Israelites which God said, 'hardened their hearts'.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years."
(Hebrews 3:7-9)

Now, you may be thinking I'm only referring to disobedience, blatant rebellion, basically saying "no" to God. And that, of course, is some of it but as serious and egregious as that is there is a more subtle form of stubbornness - the callous heart of legalism and self-righteousness. This is subtle because this form of stubbornness appears to be saying "yes" to God but really is taking matters too far. These people (and at times I am one of them), are more comfortable with rules, laws and standards, the very things Christ came to set us free from.

Our acceptance in Christ is not determined by how clean our house is (thankfully), what we wear to church, whether we wear make-up or jewelry or not, what version of the Bible we read, whether we have piercings or tattoos or not.

I believe there is a stubbornness that is rooted in a judgmental and critical spirit.

Sister, I may be talking straight to you, but I'm talking to me, too.
To have a circumcised heart means we will be sensitive to the workings and guidance of the Holy Spirit and be surrendered and obedient to His whispers.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.