What steps can you take to avoid being "stiff-necked" in your faith? The Warning Behind the Phrase “Stiff-Necked” Israel’s repeated refusal to bend to God’s direction earned them the label “stiff-necked” (Exodus 32:9; Acts 7:51). Like an ox that refuses to turn when the farmer pulls the reins, a stiff-necked believer digs in, resists correction, and misses God’s blessing. Key Verse “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more.” — Deuteronomy 10:16 What a Tender, Un-Stiff Neck Looks Like • Soft toward God’s voice (Hebrews 3:7-8) • Quick to repent (Psalm 51:17) • Ready to obey even when it costs (John 14:15) • Humble and teachable with others (1 Peter 5:5) Practical Steps to Keep Your Neck Flexible 1. Cultivate a Daily Humility Check ‑ Begin each morning acknowledging God’s rightful rule over your life (Proverbs 3:5-6). ‑ Invite His searchlight: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23-24). ‑ Remember that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). 2. Practice Immediate Obedience ‑ When Scripture speaks, act—delay breeds resistance (James 1:22). ‑ Record promptings from the Spirit and follow through the same day. ‑ Keep short accounts: confess known sin before nightfall (Ephesians 4:26-27). 3. Embrace Ongoing Heart-Surgery ‑ “Circumcise your hearts” calls for deliberate removal of anything that dulls spiritual sensitivity. ‑ Fast from media, habits, or relationships that harden you (Hebrews 12:1). ‑ Fill the space with prayer and the Word so tenderness grows (Jeremiah 15:16). 4. Welcome Godly Correction ‑ Invite mature believers to speak truth in love (Proverbs 27:6). ‑ Refuse to justify yourself; listen first, sift later (Proverbs 19:20). ‑ Remember 2 Chronicles 30:8: “Do not be stiff-necked… submit to the LORD.” 5. Stay Soft Through Worship and Thanksgiving ‑ Regular, heartfelt praise turns the neck toward the throne (Psalm 95:6-8). ‑ Thankfulness fights the entitlement that stiffens hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:18). ‑ Sing truths aloud; melody massages the soul into pliability (Colossians 3:16). 6. Keep the Cross in Clear View ‑ Contemplate Christ’s submission: “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). ‑ Recognize that stubbornness cost Him His life (Acts 7:51-52). ‑ Let His sacrificial love melt resistance and draw you into joyful surrender (Galatians 2:20). Living It Out Today A soft neck is not a one-time achievement but a moment-by-moment posture. Lean into humility, obey promptly, invite correction, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. As you do, the Spirit will keep your heart circumcised—responsive, teachable, and ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). |
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