The term "unmanageable" refers to something or someone that is difficult or impossible to control or govern. In a biblical context, this concept can be explored through various scriptures that address the challenges of dealing with unruly behavior, stubbornness, and the human tendency to resist divine guidance.

Biblical Instances and Themes

1. Stubbornness and Rebellion: The Bible often addresses the issue of stubbornness and rebellion, which can be seen as forms of unmanageability. In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently exhibited unmanageable behavior by turning away from God's commandments. For instance, in Deuteronomy 9:6-7 , Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellious nature: "Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness."

2. The Unruly Tongue: The New Testament addresses the challenge of controlling one's speech, which can be seen as an aspect of unmanageability. James 3:8 states, "but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." This passage highlights the difficulty of managing one's words and the potential harm that can result from an unbridled tongue.

3. Disobedience to Authority: The Bible also speaks to the issue of disobedience to authority, which can manifest as unmanageable behavior. Romans 13:1-2 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

4. The Heart's Deceitfulness: The unmanageability of the human heart is another theme found in Scripture. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse underscores the inherent difficulty in managing one's inner desires and motivations without divine intervention.

5. The Role of Discipline: The Bible emphasizes the importance of discipline in managing unruly behavior. Proverbs 13:24 states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This proverb suggests that loving discipline is necessary to guide and manage behavior effectively.

6. Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians 6:12 speaks to the spiritual dimension of unmanageability, indicating that believers face struggles beyond the physical realm: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the need for spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's strength to manage the challenges posed by spiritual adversaries.

Practical Implications

The concept of unmanageability in the Bible serves as a reminder of the human propensity to resist control and the necessity of divine guidance and intervention. Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom and strength in managing their own behavior and in dealing with others who may exhibit unmanageable tendencies. Through prayer, discipline, and adherence to biblical principles, Christians can strive to overcome the challenges of unmanageability in their personal lives and communities.

General and Public Concernments Seem at First Unmanageable
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 97 General and public concernments seem at first unmanageable.
General and public concernments seem at first unmanageable ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/97 general and public concernments.htm

Letter X . --To Libanius.
... A man was ill of an unmanageable complaint, and began to find fault with the medical
faculty, as being able to do far less than it professed; for everything ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter x to libanius.htm

Preface.
... up for years among us [4] ; and which, I was and am convinced, must be openly
met,"not silently ignored until the mischief becomes unmanageable: met, too, by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/preface.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... The Egyptian horses threatened to become unmanageable, and had begun to break through
the ranks, when Amenemhabi, an officer of the guard, leaped to the ground ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... would never have been hated and rejected, had not you been carried away by custom,
and then shut your ears against us; and just as unmanageable horses throw ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm

Here Also the Advocates of Images are Wont to Say this Also...
... have no divine nature, and that there is no sense in them, but that they formed
them profitably and wisely, for the sake of the unmanageable and ignorant mob ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/24 here also the advocates.htm

Letter xv. To Arcadius, Imperial Treasurer.
... Limit. p. 203, ed. Lachm. and Du Cange sv)." DCB i. 634. [1899] There is confusion
here in the text, and the Benedictines think it unmanageable as it stands. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xv to arcadius imperial.htm

Two-Fold Bearing of the Kingdom of God --An Inward, Spiritual ...
... others that bear his unmistakable impress, we endeavour, by comparing his
manifestations, to find that higher unity in which even the unmanageable points ...
/.../section 52 two-fold bearing of.htm

Confusion.
... The failing which high-bred horses have of becoming utterly unmanageable, not so
much from bodily fear, as from being confounded, not knowing what people want ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vii confusion.htm

Against the Pelagians:
... can be thoroughly eradicated from the minds of men; others that their power can
be broken, that they can be governed and restrained, as unmanageable horses are ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against the pelagians .htm

Unmanageable (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unmanageable (3 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Proverbs 7:11 She
is clamorous and unmanageable; her feet abide not in her house: (DBY). ...
/u/unmanageable.htm - 7k

Hearkeneth (34 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man have an unmanageable and rebellious son, who hearkeneth
not unto the voice of his father, nor unto the voice of his mother, and they ...
/h/hearkeneth.htm - 16k

Unmarked (2 Occurrences)

/u/unmarked.htm - 6k

Unloving (2 Occurrences)

/u/unloving.htm - 6k

Gnaw (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To use the teeth in biting; to bite with repeated effort, as in eating or
removing with the teeth something hard, unwieldy, or unmanageable. ...
/g/gnaw.htm - 8k

Refractory (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Obstinate in disobedience; stubborn;
unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. ...
/r/refractory.htm - 9k

Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Deuteronomy 21:20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our
son is unmanageable and rebellious, he hearkeneth not unto our voice; he is a ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

Churlish (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Wanting pliancy; unmanageable; unyielding; not easily wrought; as, a churlish
soil; the churlish and intractable nature of some minerals. ...
/c/churlish.htm - 7k

Hearken (253 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is
unmanageable and rebellious, he hearkeneth not unto our voice; he is a ...
/h/hearken.htm - 38k

What does the Bible say about feeling overwhelmed? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian use a credit card? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the tongue is a fire (James 3:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Unmanageable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus