09/03/2026
STUBBORNNESS IS NOT A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
One of the most dangerous things in the Church isn't always open rebellion, it's stubbornness dressed up as spirituality. The Bible doesn't present stubbornness as strength, maturity, or conviction. When stubbornness causes us to reject correction, refuse godly counsel, resist leadership, and insist on having our own way, Scripture connects it with rebellion, pride, disobedience, and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV says, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. That's serious. Sometimes we call it, “That’s just how I am.” Sometimes we call it being strong-minded, Sometimes we call it standing our ground. But there is a difference between standing on God’s Word and stubbornly standing in God’s way. Proverbs 12:15 says, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. Stubbornness says, “I already know.” Stubbornness says, “Nobody can tell me anything.” Stubbornness says “yes” with the mouth while the heart has already decided, “I’m going to do what I want to do.” And sadly, some of the most stubborn people can be religious people. Knowledge without humility can produce pride. We can know Scripture, know church protocol, know tradition, know ministry and still have a heart that refuses correction. Knowledge that doesn't produce humility can become a weapon against obedience. Stubbornness damages churches because stubborn people would rather divide than yield. It damages families because someone would rather be right than reconciled. It damages ministries because leaders who refuse wise counsel eventually become isolated. It causes people to miss opportunities, relationships, growth, and blessings that could have been experienced if they had simply listened and obeyed. A stubborn leader can destroy what generations sacrificed to build. A stubborn member can create unnecessary conflict in a ministry. A stubborn spouse can turn disagreement into division. A stubborn heart can hear God speaking and still refuse to move. Scripture warns us in Hebrews 3:15 Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. The frightening thing about stubbornness is that after repeatedly refusing correction, your heart can become so hardened that you no longer recognize that you are wrong. You begin calling rebellion “discernment.” You call pride “standards.” You call disloyalty “independence.” You call resistance “conviction.” And eventually, you can become convinced that everybody else is the problem. The Church can't and won't grow where nobody can be corrected. Leadership can't function where everybody wants authority but nobody wants accountability. Unity can't survive where everybody insists on having their own way. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Every one of us, pastors, bishops, elders, ministers, deacons, leaders, and members, must periodically ask God: Lord, is there stubbornness in me that I can't see? Am I teachable? Can I receive correction without becoming offended? Can someone tell me I’m wrong? Do I obey only when I agree? Have I allowed my experience, title, education, years in church, or position to make me unteachable? Because sometimes the biggest thing standing between us and what God wants to do next is our refusal to listen. Stubbornness isn't spiritual strength. Humility is. Teachability is. Obedience is. Submission to God is. May God remove every hardened place in our hearts and give us the humility to hear Him, receive wise counsel, make necessary changes, and obey, even when obedience requires us to admit that we were wrong. James 4:6 reminds us: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Church, we can't ask God for revival while refusing correction. Sometimes before God changes the Church, He has to change us.
Bishop Eddy T
