Self-will and stubbornness are frequently highlighted in the Bible as traits that are contrary to the will of God and are often associated with the wicked. These characteristics are depicted as manifestations of a rebellious spirit that resists divine authority and guidance.

Biblical Definition and Context

Self-will refers to an obstinate adherence to one's own desires and plans, often in defiance of God's commands. Stubbornness is the persistent refusal to change one's attitude or position, even when confronted with truth or correction. Together, these traits signify a heart that is hardened against the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, self-will and stubbornness are frequently condemned. The Israelites are often depicted as a "stiff-necked people" (Exodus 32:9), a term used to describe their persistent rebellion against God despite His continuous guidance and provision. This stubbornness is seen as a direct affront to God's authority and a barrier to receiving His blessings.

Proverbs 29:1 warns, "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery." This verse underscores the peril of stubbornness, emphasizing that persistent refusal to heed correction leads to destruction.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the dangers of self-will and stubbornness. In Romans 2:5 , Paul writes, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." Here, a hard heart is equated with stubbornness, and it is clear that such an attitude incurs divine judgment.

The Apostle Peter also speaks against self-will in 2 Peter 2:10 , where he describes false teachers as "bold and self-willed," indicating that these traits are aligned with falsehood and deception.

Spiritual Implications

Self-will and stubbornness are not merely personal failings but are indicative of a deeper spiritual issue. They reflect a rejection of God's sovereignty and a preference for human autonomy over divine guidance. This rebellion is seen as a root cause of sin, leading individuals away from the path of righteousness.

The Bible consistently calls for a heart of humility and submission to God. James 4:7 exhorts believers, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Submission to God is presented as the antidote to self-will, aligning one's desires with God's will.

Consequences and Warnings

The consequences of self-will and stubbornness are severe. They lead to spiritual blindness, as individuals become unable to perceive God's truth. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , stubbornness is equated with idolatry: "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry." This comparison highlights the gravity of these traits, equating them with practices that are abominable to God.

Furthermore, self-will and stubbornness can lead to a hardened heart, making repentance and reconciliation with God increasingly difficult. Hebrews 3:13 warns, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "self-will" frequently, the concept is woven throughout Scripture as a warning against the dangers of prioritizing personal desires over God's commands. Stubbornness, similarly, is portrayed as a significant barrier to spiritual growth and a characteristic of those who oppose God's will. The call to believers is to cultivate a spirit of humility and obedience, aligning their will with that of the Lord.Proverbs 7:11
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... Perhaps also they were characteristic of their time and its circumstances ... to laxity
and slackness, severity gives rise to stubbornness and self-will, he was ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... Favouritism was a characteristic vice of Oriental judges ... up strife by their pugnacity
and stubbornness and thereby ... because you ask with the wicked intention of ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

part i
... my soul as if He were visible, as if He were present here before me, knowing all
my thoughts and feelings; every inward slothfulness, stubbornness, or other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

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