How dangerous is rebellion and stubbornness?
Who is a rebellious person? The one who rejects a certain way of life, and stays stubborn in his belief. The Word of God states rebellion is witchcraft, and stubbornness is iniquity and idolatry.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23).
The state of rebellion reveals a heart that is gripped by foul spirits and a mind that is blinded by darkness. Those who are stubborn are like idols, can’t be moved from their evil state. They have become deaf and blind and dumb and lame to the way of God.
Saul was a good king, when he started. But, his disobedience to God’s word triggered rebellious natures which never allowed him to repent and receive mercy. From thereon he went on an emotional journey of jealousy, anger, bitterness, depression, eventually into suicide. Every life is precious in the sight of God, yet man chooses to do his own will.
When we learn about the journey of the Israelites, we see the true natures of Gods chosen.
“The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people.” (Exodus 32:9)
Why did God call Israel a rebellious and stubborn people? They were an impatient lot, and their rebellious and stubborn ways got the better of them while they waited for Moses to come down from the mountain. They ended up creating an idol for themselves, out of the gold and silver they possessed. Not only that, they indulged in ungodly rituals and lewd acts.
“Do not be worshipers of handmade gods, as some of them were; just as it is written [in Scripture], “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK [after sacrificing to the golden calf at Horeb], AND STOOD UP TO PLAY [indulging in immoral activities].” (1 Corinthians 10:7)
3000 Israelites were spell-bound by their own rebellion, their sinful indulgence corrupted their conscience from turning away from their idol worship. They could not repent and be freed from their blindness they brought upon themselves, having known the truth. Their impatience cost them their lives.
What a terrible state to be in for man! We are in the last days, and what we see around us is increasing sin and love waxing cold. Psalms 106:36 reminds us that worshipping idols is a snare. How sad for those who fail to break-free because of their own choice. 1 John 5:21 reminds us to keep away from idols. Is idol worship only about hand-made objects? Not at all.
When we go against the will of God, to do our own will, we sin. When we repeatedly and religiously continue in our own ways, the snare (witchcraft) of selfish pride turns us into idol worshippers. The world and all it’s offerings are temporary, and when we hold anything greater than Jesus in our lives, we end up walking in idolatry.
We are living in an instant world where our spirits are easily tampered with. We rage, instead of encourage. We rebel, instead of avoiding trouble. We are impatient, instead of being patient. Increasing fake news and lies is stirring hearts to react without reason. Knowledge is being wielded without love.
Are you poor in spirit or proud in spirit? Are you hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the Good News of the Word or the news of this world?
Redeem the time. Guard your heart and mind from drinking the potion of spell-binding words that turn you away from the living God. Jesus is coming soon.