When Stubbornness Becomes a Stumbling Block

Good morning, church! Today, we’re talking about something that we all deal with—stubborn people. Now, before you start looking around the room or elbowing your spouse, let’s be honest—we all know someone who just won’t budge, no matter how much sense you make. Maybe they refuse to admit they’re wrong even when the proof is staring them in the face. Maybe they always have to have the last word. Or maybe, just maybe, that stubborn person is sometimes… you.

Now, before we go too far, let’s be clear: not all stubbornness is bad. If you’re standing firm in your faith and refusing to compromise on truth, that’s the good kind of stubborn. But there’s another kind—the hard-headed, prideful, "I know better than God" kind. That’s the kind of stubbornness that can lead to destruction, and that’s what we need to talk about today.

Proverbs 29:1 “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”

That’s a strong warning! The Bible has a lot to say about stubbornness, and let’s just say—it doesn’t end well for those who refuse to change their ways.

The Root of Stubbornness

So why are some people so stubborn? Well, there are a few reasons, and the Bible speaks on each of them.

First, stubbornness is often rooted in pride. Some folks just can’t stand the idea of being wrong. They’d rather go down with the ship than admit they made a mistake. Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride tells us that we know best, even better than God, and that’s a dangerous place to be.

Then there’s fear. Sometimes, people refuse to change because they’re afraid of what it might mean. Maybe they’re scared to trust God because that means giving up control. Maybe they don’t want to face the consequences of their actions, so they dig their heels in instead.

And of course, there’s rebellion. Let’s be real—some people just don’t want to listen. They don’t want to change. Pharaoh in the book of Exodus is a prime example. God sent plague after plague, and he still refused to humble himself. How did that work out for him? Spoiler alert: not well. When someone hardens their heart against God, they end up hurting not just themselves but those around them, too.

Then there’s spiritual blindness. Some people are so caught up in their own way of thinking that they just can’t see the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” A stubborn heart that refuses to see can become completely lost.

Why You Shouldn’t Associate with Stubborn People

Does this mean we should just cut off every stubborn person in our lives? Not necessarily. But the Bible does warn us to be careful about who we surround ourselves with. Proverbs 13:20 gives us some wise advice: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” If you spend too much time with hard-hearted, rebellious people, their attitude will start rubbing off on you.

Have you ever tried reasoning with someone who just won’t listen? It’s exhausting. Stubborn people can drain you emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. No matter how much you try to guide them, they’ll keep going their own way, dragging you along with them if you’re not careful.

Not only that, but stubborn people can stunt your spiritual growth. If someone is constantly resisting God, they’re probably not encouraging you to grow in your faith. They’ll challenge the truth, mock correction, and make you question the wisdom of following God’s ways.

And let’s not forget the drama. Stubborn people tend to create chaos because they refuse to compromise or admit fault. If you find yourself constantly dealing with unnecessary conflict, it might be time to re-evaluate who you’re spending time with.

Free Will and How It Relates to God

One of the greatest gifts God gave us is free will. We are not robots—God allows us to make our own choices, even if those choices are bad. But here’s the thing: with free will comes responsibility. If we choose to be stubborn and ignore God, we also have to deal with the consequences.

Deuteronomy 30:19 lays it out plainly: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

God won’t force us to obey Him. He won’t drag us kicking and screaming into a better life. He offers us His wisdom, His love, and His guidance, but it’s up to us whether we accept it or not. That’s the beauty and the weight of free will—we get to choose, but we also have to live with our choices.

When to Walk Away

Jesus Himself gave us a clear instruction in Matthew 10:14: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Sometimes, no matter how much you try to help someone, they just won’t listen. And that’s when you need to step back and let God deal with them.

If someone repeatedly refuses correction, it may be time to walk away. Proverbs 9:7-8 tells us that correcting a mocker only invites insults, while correcting the wise leads to wisdom. Some people just don’t want to hear the truth, and there’s no use forcing it on them.

If they mock or belittle your faith, don’t waste your breath. Matthew 7:6 reminds us not to “cast pearls before swine.” Your time and energy are valuable—use them wisely.

And if someone constantly brings negativity and strife into your life, it’s okay to set boundaries. 2 Timothy 3:5 warns us to have nothing to do with people who have a form of godliness but deny its power. Not everyone who claims to follow God actually listens to Him.

Practical Application

If this message has stirred something in your heart, here’s what to do next.

First, check your own heart. Are you being stubborn in an area where God is trying to correct you? It’s easy to point fingers at others, but sometimes, we’re the ones resisting Him.

Next, pray for the stubborn people in your life. Ask God to soften their hearts and open their eyes. He is the only one who can change them.

Then, know when to step away. Don’t let someone else’s stubbornness keep you from growing spiritually. Some people need to learn their lessons the hard way, and that’s between them and God.

Finally, trust in God’s plan. He won’t force anyone to change, but He also won’t let stubbornness go unchallenged forever. One way or another, every knee will bow before Him.

Closing

If you’ve been dealing with a stubborn person, take heart—God sees your struggle. Keep praying, keep loving, but don’t be afraid to step back when needed. And if you’ve been the stubborn one, it’s never too late to humble yourself before God. His arms are always open, ready to lead you into a better way.

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to let go of pride and stubbornness. Soften our hearts to Your truth. Give us wisdom to know when to walk away from those who refuse correction, and help us to always follow Your leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen!