Eight Marks of Stiff-Necked People
“I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.” Exodus 32:9
Dr. Ray Prichard, President of Keep Believing Ministries (Keepbelieving.com) was one of our speakers for our 2011 Memorial Day Weekend conference (check out his messages on our website: www.americaskeswick.org).
I saw this great outline on Rays website and it was too good to not share with you:
That’s not a compliment.
Here are some synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, willful, rebellious, wayward, defiant, unruly, ornery, pigheaded. When Stephen preached in Acts 7, he called the Jewish leaders “stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears” (v. 51).
Again, not a compliment.
When the Lord promised judgment on Jerusalem, he said it was coming because “they were stiff-necked and would not list to my words” (Jeremiah 19:10).
They had an attitude problem.
Pride keeps us from hearing what God is saying. Pride make our necks stiff.
What are the marks of stiff-necked people?
- Certainty that you are right.
- Refusal to listen to anyone else.
- Defensive when criticized.
- Making excuses for your short-comings.
- Lashing out at others.
- No desire to examine your own life.
- Repeated pattern of misbehavior.
- Prayer without repentance.
This can happen to any of us when we become hardened in our ways and so certain of ourselves that no one can reach us. We don’t realize what has happened until judgment comes.
Wow! I bet you might have thought to yourself: “so and so needs to read this!” Well maybe it isn’t for “so and so!” Could it be that God is talking to YOU this morning? Think about it. Then run to the cross and repent! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
Compass Pointers: O Lord, break down the stiff-necked spirit within us. Break us, soften us, cleanse us, renew us. Make us ready to hear Your Word. – Ray Prichard
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night. Thomas Fuller
No comments:
Post a Comment