Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. 1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)

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When we’re stubborn, we bow to the idols of self-importance, self-opinion, “I know best,” and arrogance.

We say to all, especially that annoying God who always interferes, that we’ve established our own inner rule for what is right and wrong.

When you’re stubborn, you’re in danger of being designated by such non-endearing expressions as obstinate, bullheaded, headstrong, willful, unyielding, insubordinate, cantankerous, rigid, single-minded, unbending, unyielding.

My Southern kin might say you’re contrary, ornery, and stubborn as a mule, or just plain pigheaded.

But, then, the prodigal learned that being pigheaded generally means you end up eating with the pigs.

Jesus was deeply distressed by the stubborn hearts of some Pharisees, because they were unteachable, unwilling to learn that the Spirit connected people to God, not the law (Mark 3:5).

They embodied stubbornness by showing more interest in defending a position that in determining the truth. They dug in their heels, making the need to make a point their idol. They bowed to the little god of winning over little details and little points.

Being right became their god - their idol - and that put them in the strange category of being able to get it right, yet getting it all wrong.

Exasperated, Jesus finally said, “If you had any idea what this Scripture meant - ‘I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual’ - you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this” (Matthew 12:7 MSG).

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