Topical Bible: Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Harden Their Necks

◄ Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Harden Their Necks ►

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Unbelief, in the biblical context, refers to the refusal to accept and trust in the truths and promises of God. It is often characterized by a hardened heart and a stiff neck, symbolizing stubbornness and resistance to divine guidance and correction. The Bible frequently addresses the consequences of unbelief and the spiritual peril it poses to individuals and communities.

Biblical Instances of Hardened Necks

The imagery of a "stiff neck" is used throughout Scripture to describe those who resist God's will and persist in unbelief. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are often depicted as a "stiff-necked people" due to their repeated disobedience and lack of faith. In Exodus 32:9 , the Lord says to Moses, "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people." This description follows the incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites quickly turned to idolatry despite having witnessed God's mighty acts of deliverance.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 9:13 , God reiterates this characterization: "The LORD also said to me, 'I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.'" The Israelites' persistent unbelief and rebellion serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of hardening one's neck against God.

Consequences of Unbelief and Hardened Necks

The Bible warns that those who harden their necks in unbelief face severe consequences. Proverbs 29:1 states, "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery." This verse underscores the peril of ignoring divine correction and persisting in unbelief, leading to spiritual ruin.

In the New Testament, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, addresses the Sanhedrin with a similar rebuke. In Acts 7:51 , he declares, "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did." Stephen's words highlight the continuity of unbelief from the Old Testament to the New, emphasizing the resistance to the Holy Spirit as a hallmark of a hardened neck.

The Call to Repentance and Faith

Despite the grave warnings against unbelief, the Bible also extends a call to repentance and faith. God, in His mercy, desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The invitation to turn from unbelief and embrace faith is a recurring theme, as seen in Hebrews 3:12-13 : "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

The antidote to a hardened neck is a softened heart, open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are called to live in obedience and trust, avoiding the pitfalls of unbelief that lead to spiritual destruction.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 17:14
Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Saved by Grace;
... that will by no means clear the guilty" (Exodus 34:6 ... that persevereth in final
impenitency and unbelief shall be ... because they harden the heart; they are damnable ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/saved by grace.htm

The Holy War,
... his words did shake the whole town; they were like ... by debauchery to stupefy his mind,
and more harden his heart ... quoth he, as all mad folks have their fits, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... They are the devil's most stinking tail, with which ... professor into carnal delights,
with their filthy conversations ... will shortly hang about your necks, when the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... indeed, and argueth that he began to harden himself in ... actions; to all which he heartily
confessed guilty, and so ... How common is it with many, when they are but ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... instead of becoming His disciples, did harden their hearts against ... It is a wonder
that they can get into those ways without danger of breaking their necks. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable
went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse. CHR. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... God had made them (1 Timothy 3:6). He knew this was a likely way, for by this means
he fell himself; for being puffed up with pride, they left their own estate ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... They loose the bands of nature"harden the soul against sorrow ... and so cries out,
'Lord, help mine unbelief' (Mark 9 ... of what was begun, so that they were forced ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

Christian Behavior
... farther, it will never do; for that is but unbelief. ... First, If possibly they can,
to get them that fear God ... who should say, Your servants cannot be guilty of so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... of his childhood, while striving to harden his heart ... they had been afflicted, and
how they were borne up ... own wretchedness of heart, of their unbelief; and did ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm