Stubbornness can be a trait that holds us back from fully embracing God’s wisdom and guidance. While determination and resilience can be strengths, unchecked stubbornness, particularly when it leads to defiance against God’s will, can cause struggles. The Bible offers insights and lessons that encourage a spirit of humility and obedience, especially for those moments when we are tempted to dig in our heels and resist divine direction.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Wise Woman
Stubbornness and Rebellion
Stubbornness often goes hand in hand with rebellion, which is clearly addressed in the Bible. When we harden our hearts and resist God’s instructions, we move away from the path of righteousness. These verses remind us that rebellion and stubbornness can lead to destruction, and it’s important to yield to God’s will instead of clinging to our own ways.
1 Samuel 15:23
“Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Isaiah 30:1
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children, says the Lord. You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.”
Proverbs 29:1
“Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.”
Isaiah 48:4
“For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze.”
Deuteronomy 9:6
“You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.”
God’s Warning Against Stubbornness
God repeatedly warns against stubbornness throughout scripture. When we refuse to listen to His voice or turn away from His ways, we not only hurt ourselves but also miss out on His blessings. These verses highlight the consequences of stubbornness and the importance of having a humble and teachable heart.
Zechariah 7:11-12
“Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. They made their hearts as hard as stone.”
Jeremiah 5:23
“But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me.”
Psalm 81:11-12
“But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.”
Acts 7:51
“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!”
Isaiah 65:2
“All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.”
Stubbornness Leads to Hard Hearts
A hardened heart can develop when we persist in stubbornness. The Bible warns that a hard heart is closed off to the transformative power of God’s love and guidance. These verses reveal the dangers of a hardened heart and urge us to soften ourselves to the Lord’s correction and love.
Exodus 7:13
“Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted.”
Romans 2:5
“But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”
Mark 3:5
“He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!”
Deuteronomy 2:30
“But King Sihon of Heshbon refused to allow us to pass through, because the Lord your God made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate.”
Ezekiel 11:19
“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.”
Stubbornness in Relationships
Stubbornness can strain relationships, leading to conflict and division. The Bible teaches the importance of humility, listening, and yielding to one another. These verses emphasize the need to let go of stubbornness to foster unity and love in our relationships.
Proverbs 21:19
“It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.”
Proverbs 27:15
“A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day.”
1 Peter 3:4
“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
Ephesians 4:2
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Proverbs 17:14
“Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.”
Learning to Be Teachable
Stubbornness can be the opposite of being teachable. God calls us to be humble and open to His teachings and correction. The following verses remind us of the value of a teachable spirit and how it brings us closer to God’s wisdom and ways.
Proverbs 12:1
“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.”
Proverbs 9:9
“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.”
Psalm 25:4
“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.”
Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.”
Isaiah 50:5
“The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.”
Overcoming Stubbornness
Overcoming stubbornness requires humility and a willingness to submit to God’s will. The Bible encourages us to soften our hearts and seek God’s guidance in all things. These verses provide encouragement to overcome the stubborn tendencies that hold us back from spiritual growth.
James 4:7
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
Matthew 5:5
“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.”
The Blessing of a Submissive Spirit
A submissive spirit is a beautiful thing in God’s eyes. When we submit to His will, we align ourselves with His plan for our lives. These Bible verses encourage us to cultivate a submissive and obedient spirit, one that seeks to honor God above all else.
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 11:3
“But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
Ephesians 5:22
“For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
Titus 2:5
“To live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.”
1 Peter 3:1
“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Heart of a Woman
What Does the Bible Say About Stubborn Woman
The Bible has quite a bit to say about stubbornness, whether in women or men. Being stubborn can mean having a strong will, and that can be a good thing when it’s directed toward positive goals. For example, being persistent, determined, and unwavering in faith or in standing up for what is right is something the Bible encourages. But when we talk about stubbornness in a negative way, it means refusing to change or listen even when it is clear that change is needed. This kind of stubbornness can lead to problems, and the Bible warns against it.
The Bible tells us that stubbornness is often linked with a hard heart. Think about Pharaoh in the story of Moses. He was stubborn, hard-hearted, and refused to listen to God. His stubbornness brought disaster not only on him but also on his whole nation. This shows that when stubbornness goes against what God is saying, it can bring pain, confusion, and trouble. That’s the same for everyone, including women. The Bible does not single out stubbornness as something unique to women, but there are principles that apply to everyone. In fact, it’s more about the attitude of the heart rather than about a person’s gender. God calls all His people, men and women, to have hearts that are soft, willing to listen, and open to His direction.
A stubborn woman might be someone who refuses to let go of her own way even when it is clear that her way is not working. This could be in relationships, in how she handles problems, or in how she deals with God. The Bible gives a lot of advice about how people should live together, love each other, and forgive. But if a person’s heart is stubborn, it is hard for them to do these things because they are stuck on their own way of thinking. When a woman is stubborn in this way, it can affect her marriage, her family, her friendships, and even her relationship with God.
For example, a stubborn woman might be determined not to forgive someone who hurt her. Even though she knows that holding on to bitterness is hurting her, she might refuse to let it go. The Bible teaches forgiveness, not because it’s always easy but because it frees the person doing the forgiving. Stubbornness in this situation stops that freedom from happening. Or, let’s say she is in a relationship, and her husband is trying to communicate with her about something important, but she refuses to listen because she thinks she is right. That stubbornness can create a wall between them and lead to bigger problems.
The Bible talks a lot about wisdom, and one of the things that makes a person wise is the ability to listen, to consider, and to be willing to change if needed. Proverbs is full of verses that encourage people to be teachable, open to instruction, and willing to seek advice. A wise person knows that they don’t have all the answers, and they are willing to learn. But a stubborn person is often the opposite. They shut down advice, ignore wisdom, and insist on their own way.
That doesn’t mean that having a strong will is a bad thing. In fact, being strong-willed can be a great strength. Many women in the Bible showed incredible strength and determination. Think of Esther, Ruth, or Mary, the mother of Jesus. These women had a kind of strength that helped them stand firm in difficult situations. The key difference is that their strength was rooted in trust and obedience to God, not in their own stubbornness. They were willing to follow God’s lead, even when it meant stepping out of their comfort zone.
So, if a woman finds herself being stubborn in a way that goes against what God wants, the Bible encourages her to soften her heart. This means being willing to listen to God, to others, and to be humble enough to admit when a change is needed. It is about letting go of pride and allowing God’s wisdom to guide the way. The Bible makes it clear that God’s way is always best, and when we let go of stubbornness and follow Him, we find peace, direction, and purpose.
In conclusion, the Bible doesn’t condemn women for being strong, but it does warn against a stubborn heart that refuses to change, listen, or grow. Stubbornness can lead to missed opportunities, broken relationships, and spiritual struggle. God calls all of us, men and women, to have hearts that are willing to follow Him. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. A heart that is open, teachable, and willing to listen can be used by God in amazing ways.