READ: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 3:12-13
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed…” – Proverbs 29:1
A stubborn person is prone to falling away. If you know a stubborn Christian who does not heed counsel, but will always do what he wants to do in spite of all advice, you are looking at a potential backslider “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways…”(Proverbs 14:14).
Often I would counsel Christians, and find at the end of the session that they are still set in their ways. They are bent on doing their own thing. Everybody needs advice. The Bible says there is safety in the multitude of counsel.
“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished” (Ecclesiastes 4:13).
I remember counselling a young lady not to continue in a certain unhealthy relationship.
I asked, “What makes you different from the other girls he has thrown away? He has had 17 girlfriends, and you are the 18th. The only difference between you and the others is that you are new to him. But one day you will become ‘old’ just like the others. And he will then throw you away.” In spite of this admonition, she persisted in her ways.
Is there anybody who was mightily blessed by God although he was stubborn and rebellious? Never!
Stubbornness to God, to His Word, to His pastors and to biblical counsel is a sign that backsliding is imminent.