We All Know That One Person Who’s That Special Kind of Stubborn.

A message to the Believer….

You know the one. They believe in God, but when God actually speaks—maybe through Scripture, maybe through a person He sent, maybe through the Holy Spirit convicting them deep in their spirit—they nod, smile, and… do the exact opposite. Not because they’re evil. Not even because they’re trying to rebel. No, no. This is that special kind of stubborn—the holy kind. The kind that knows God exists, maybe even worships Him on Sunday, but still refuses to believe what He actually says on Monday. And what’s funny is that most of us aren’t watching this stubbornness from afar—we’re living it. Whether it’s in ourselves or someone close to us, we’ve seen that sacred dance of spiritual reluctance: a divine message delivered and a divine brick wall built in response. It’s frustrating. It’s tragic. And let’s be honest—it’s a little funny watching someone argue with God like He’s the one who “just doesn’t get it.”

But the Bible doesn’t laugh off stubbornness. In fact, it paints it in some of the darkest shades. Not because God doesn’t have a sense of humor—He absolutely does—but because stubbornness doesn’t end in laughter. It ends in regret, loss, and sometimes complete spiritual derailment. So let’s take a deep dive into this paradox of belief without surrender, faith without trust, and spiritual pride that keeps even the most devoted heart from hearing the voice of the One they claim to follow.

Stubbornness as Rebellion Against God

1 Samuel 15:23 doesn’t pull any punches:

“For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry…”

This is the moment Samuel calls out King Saul for doing things his own way. And God doesn’t say Saul made a “mistake.” He compares Saul’s stubbornness to witchcraft. Think about that—God sees self-will as spiritual treason. Saul believed in God. He even made sacrifices to God. But he didn’t believe God. He didn’t obey. That’s the crux of it—rebellion isn’t about disbelief; it’s about defiance. And it doesn’t always come with horns and smoke. Sometimes it shows up in a robe with a crown and says, “I was just trying to help.”

A Hardened Neck and Heart Lead to Destruction

Proverbs 29:1 lays it down clean:

“A person who hardens his neck after much rebuke will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.”

This is the stubborn person’s anthem. They get correction—multiple times—and respond by locking their neck like an old rusty swivel. God calls, they decline. God redirects, they resist. And then one day… boom. No more warnings. No more gentle nudges. Just consequences. Not because God gave up, but because the neck got too stiff to turn. There’s a silent tragedy in this. It’s not that they didn’t hear. It’s that they didn’t listen. And so eventually, they crash—hard.

Stubbornness Resists the Holy Spirit

Acts 7:51 shows Stephen unloading the truth:

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit…”

Imagine being so dug into your spiritual posture that even the Holy Spirit can’t get through. That’s next-level stubborn. These were religious leaders who knew scripture better than anyone. And yet they were completely deaf to God Himself. Stubbornness isn’t always loud rebellion. Sometimes it’s just polite dismissal. Nod at the sermon, quote the verse, then keep living like you didn’t hear a thing. The Holy Spirit doesn’t whisper into a void—He speaks to be followed. Resisting Him isn’t just about saying “no”—it’s about always saying “later.”

God Gives Over the Stubborn

Romans 2:5 tells us something sobering:

“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself…”

Let that sink in. Stubbornness is like building up spiritual debt—with interest. You don’t feel it right away. In fact, sometimes you feel totally fine. But stubbornness is a long con. You keep pushing off conviction, keep ignoring that tug in your spirit, keep defending your choices, and meanwhile, God isn’t arguing with you—He’s letting you dig. Eventually, the shovel becomes a coffin. Not because He wants it that way, but because you wouldn’t stop digging.

Stubbornness Hinders Spiritual Growth

Zechariah 7:11-12 hits differently:

“They turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears… They made their hearts as hard as a diamond…”

This is an image of someone literally turning their body away. Like a kid covering their ears and going “la la la I can’t hear you.” That’s what stubbornness looks like in the spirit—diamond-hard hearts and stopped-up ears. Truth can’t penetrate. Conviction can’t reach. You could have a prophet, an angel, and Jesus Himself all show up—and it wouldn’t make a difference. Because when someone decides not to listen, even heaven becomes background noise.

God Will Judge Stubbornness

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 paints an Old Covenant picture: the stubborn, rebellious child brought before the elders for judgment.

Now, we’re not under the Mosaic Law in the same civil way, but this was no joke. Stubbornness wasn’t treated like a teenage phase—it was a serious threat to the community. Why? Because rebellion spreads. One hard heart influences another. And eventually, the whole camp resists the voice of God. That’s why even today, God deals with stubbornness decisively. Not because He’s cruel, but because one unchecked rebel spirit can derail entire destinies.

God Pleads with the Stubborn to Repent

Isaiah 65:2 offers a heartbreaking image:

“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people…”

He’s still reaching. Still inviting. Still pleading. That’s the mystery of divine mercy—God keeps His arms open, even to the stubborn. But make no mistake: His patience doesn’t mean He’s passive. His outstretched hand is an invitation now. If you wait too long, the hand may still be there—but the opportunity might not be.

Freedom Comes Through Surrender, Not Stubbornness

James 4:6-7 is the plot twist:

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit therefore to God…”

Here’s the thing. Stubbornness is pride with a backbone. But grace isn’t given to the stubborn—it’s given to the surrendered. You want spiritual breakthrough? It’s not found in doubling down. It’s found in bowing down. Freedom isn’t earned through resistance. It’s received through surrender. That’s the paradox of the Kingdom—your victory is on the other side of your white flag.

Believing In God vs. Believing God

James 2:19 throws cold water on shallow faith:

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”

Congratulations—you believe in God. So do demons. The real test is: do you believe God? Do you trust what He says? Or do you nod at His Word and then act like your feelings are more accurate? Faith isn’t just intellectual. It’s relational. It’s not about what you know—it’s about who you obey.

The Stubbornness of God’s Own People

Psalm 81:11-12 shows us the heartbreak:

“But My people did not listen… so I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart…”

God’s own people. Not the world. Not the atheists. His own. And He let them go. That’s a terrifying freedom—to be left to your own devices because you refused correction. When God steps back, it’s not always punishment. Sometimes, it’s permission to fall.

The Danger of Rejecting the Messenger

Luke 10:16 is chilling:

“He who rejects you rejects Me… and the One who sent Me.”

If someone God sends gets dismissed, that’s not just personal—it’s spiritual. That stubborn person who rolls their eyes at correction because it came from “someone they don’t like” might be rejecting God Himself. Pride doesn’t always say “no.” Sometimes it says, “Not from you.”

Stubborn Believers Are Often Spiritually Deaf

Jeremiah 6:10 says:

“Their ears are closed… the word of the Lord has become an object of ridicule…”

They still go to church. They still pray. But when the Word confronts them, they twist it, dodge it, or mock it. It’s not that they don’t hear. It’s that they choose not to listen. Their stubbornness creates spiritual earplugs—blocking anything that doesn’t align with their personal theology.

They Trust Their Opinion Over God’s Revelation

Proverbs 3:5-7 is the daily medicine:

“Do not lean on your own understanding… Do not be wise in your own eyes…”

This is the stubborn believer’s daily sin: thinking their instincts are more trustworthy than God’s voice. Their opinions become doctrine. Their experiences become scripture. And God’s actual Word becomes optional—unless it agrees with them.

When God Speaks Through Someone They Don’t Like

Matthew 23:37 echoes across time:

“…You kill the prophets and stone those sent to you… and you were unwilling.”

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the message—it’s the messenger. Pride filters God’s voice through personal bias. And stubborn believers often miss divine truth because it came in a package they didn’t approve of. How many answered prayers have we missed because the delivery person wasn’t who we wanted?

Stubbornness Delays Destiny

Numbers 14:22-23 stings:

“They have put Me to the test… they shall not see the land…”

They saw miracles. Heard the voice. Had the promise. But their stubbornness disqualified them. Not because they were weak. Not because they sinned. But because they refused to trust. Some believers today are stuck wandering—not because God isn’t faithful—but because their pride blocked the path.

Conclusion: The Comedy and the Cost of Stubbornness

Let’s be honest—stubborn people are kind of hilarious. Watching someone barrel down a hallway, bump into the same wall ten times, and finally go “ohhhh,” and step to the side—it’s a scene we’ve all witnessed (and lived). But behind the humor lies a real tragedy. Because spiritual stubbornness doesn’t just bruise your forehead—it bruises your destiny. It delays growth, hinders breakthrough, and sometimes forfeits blessings God wanted to give.

So whether you’re the stubborn one or you’re dealing with one, remember this: God is still speaking. Still reaching. Still waiting. But He won’t shout over your pride.

Sometimes, the greatest act of faith isn’t climbing a mountain. It’s taking your hands off the steering wheel.

Sometimes, you gotta do yourself the favor and get out of your own way.