Spiritually Stubborn

One thing I’ve noticed over the years in believers is a type of spiritual stubbornness that causes them to hold back from what God wants for their lives. For example, I’ve seen believers have a problem with another believer only to hold on to a grudge or discuss the issue with numerous other people, but they are too stubborn to follow the teachings of Matthew 18 in resolving conflict. I’ve also heard leaders say during leadership meetings, “I don’t know what the bible says on this issue, but this just isn’t Baptist!” Spiritual stubbornness can cause your heart to grow cold and your ears to grow deaf to the voice of the Lord. It will render both the Christian and the church ineffective. So what are some characteristics of being spiritually stubborn?

1. Being Overly Critical – Some people can find something to criticize about everything, even if they have to stretch the truth. And more often than not, their criticism is based more on exaggeration and deception than the truth. Dale Carnegie once said, “Any fool can criticize—and most of them do.” A critical attitude can cause once-enthusiastic Christians to fall; it can choke the life out of once vibrant churches. The best way to stop being overly critical is to: a) Don’t get caught up in the petty stuff. b) Make sure you know what you’re talking about (know the facts). c) Try doing what you’re criticizing. It’s easy to throw stones if you’re not the one being thrown at.

2. An Apathetic Attitude – This happens so often to churches that focus inwardly and never broaden their vision to what God has called them to be. Our budgets are focused on inward ministry and the comfort of the saints rather than on reaching out to the lost and disadvantaged around us. When we grow apathetic to the lost and stop caring about those who are hurting, we lose our effectiveness, both as individual believers and as a church.

3. Pride – This characteristic is rampant among the ranks of so-called “mature” Christians. They run from seminar to seminar, conference to conference, to book after book, and they can debate and present numerous doctrinal and philosophical doctrines. But the sad thing is, they’re not ministering to others. They have all the knowledge in their hearts, but it doesn’t translate to their hands. They have become “hearers of the Word but not doers of the Word.”

So, where do you find yourself in this post? Have you developed a type of spiritual stubbornness? If so, confess your sin to God and repent. Resolve to avoid spiritual stubbornness by serving. Serving others is the antidote for being overly critical, apathetic and full of pride. And when we’re serving, we’re being like Christ.

Posted in: