What does "We will continue with our own plans" reveal about human nature? Setting and Context Jeremiah 18:12: “But they will say, ‘It is hopeless. For we will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’” What the Statement Shows About Human Nature • Built-in resistance to divine authority—people prefer their own agenda even after God warns them. • A sense of fatalism (“It is hopeless”) that excuses disobedience instead of seeking repentance. • Stubbornness is not a surface issue; the text links it to “his evil heart,” exposing a corrupted inner core (cf. Jeremiah 17:9). • Collective rebellion—“each of us” indicates that self-will spreads socially; sin rarely stays private. • Willful blindness—choosing plans that lead to judgment while ignoring God’s gracious alternative. Root Issues in the Heart 1. Pride: elevating human wisdom above God’s (Proverbs 14:12). 2. Self-reliance: trusting personal strategy rather than the Lord’s counsel (Proverbs 3:5-6). 3. Rejection of accountability: “We will” is decisive language that dismisses God’s right to rule (Psalm 2:3). Consequences of Choosing Our Own Way • Loss of divine protection (Jeremiah 18:15-17). • Spiritual hardening—each act of stubbornness makes the next one easier (Hebrews 3:13). • Inevitable judgment—“whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Scriptural Contrasts • Isaiah 53:6: “We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way.” • Luke 22:42: Jesus models surrender—“Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” • James 4:13-16 warns planners who leave God out: “You ought to say, ‘If the Lord is willing…’” God’s Remedy for Self-Willed Hearts • New birth that replaces stone hearts with flesh (Ezekiel 36:26-27). • Daily submission through the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). • Word-saturated thinking that reshapes desires (Romans 12:2). Practical Takeaways • Examine motives before making plans—ask, “Is this God’s idea or mine?” • Invite Scripture to veto cherished projects; be ready to adjust course. • Cultivate humble dependence in prayer: surrender dreams, timelines, outcomes. • Surround yourself with believers who will challenge self-directed decisions. • Celebrate obedience—every yielded choice weakens the grip of stubborn independence. |
    |