August 3, 2020
Resisting the Holy Spirit-Acts 7:51
Today when people are referred to as being stiffed-necked a word that is no longer used, however, we do use words quite frequently as shown here; arrogant, high and mighty, highfalutin (possible showing of our age/area in which we grew up), important, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, stubborn, superior, rebellious, and uppity (possible showing of age/area in which we grew up). The LORD said to Moses that the Israelites were a stiff-necked people, that they were strong-willed. Today, people have not changed, in fact, with each generation people have become more stiff-necked. Stiff-necked people are always listening to what is being said, yet, they do not understand anything that they give their ears to. Stiff-necked people will look and still miss the significance, the meaning, and the total scope of what they are viewing. The main reasons as to why this is are the following; stiff-necked people have hardened and insensitive hearts towards JESUS, their ears are dull to hearing the truth and their eyes are dim/low-vision/legally blind to see the truth.
Anyone and everyone whose heart has not been circumcised with the receipt of a heart transplant from the FATHER through CHRIST JESUS is stiff-necked, sin-filled, and prideful. Without our believing in who CHRIST JESUS is and what HE has done for us, it is impossible to have cut out of us the rebellion that is within us all.
So, how does being stubborn hearted affect us regarding the Holy Spirit? We resist Him. We do not give ear to His voice because the voice of the Living GOD is heard through HIS Word.
Stiff-necked people are hostile towards the message of CHRIST JESUS this is why they reject HIM and HIS message. Each time we speak or write to people in the hopes that they will come to JESUS and HIS message only to have them walk away from believing in the truth, they are not resisting us but the Holy Spirit. The words we speak or write should not be our own but what the Holy Spirit gives to us to either say or write. JESUS said to those who saw with their own eyes and heard with their own ears what HE spoke and what HE did and yet they refused to follow HIM and gain life. Resisting the Holy Spirit is a willing action of not wanting to come to JESUS or not wanting to obey JESUS. Most often the Holy Spirit is wanting to do a work within us and not only will non-believers resist Him but so will believers. We do this by dismissing what we are hearing through our not listening to what we are hearing deep within us. I have grown so tired of seeing people trying to mix the law of Moses with the Grace of JESUS as trying to mix oil and water, it cannot be done, they will always separate. In rejection of the truth is rejection and resistance towards the Holy Spirit. In the book of Revelation, JESUS spoke to seven churches and today the spirit of these seven churches remains within people. However, JESUS desires that people will get an ear to hear and listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Cease rejecting what the Holy Spirit is revealing through ignoring Him, through disobedience, refusal to hear and listen because we do not like what He is saying. This is because we find what He is saying unattractive and offensive and because we want to do what we want to do. Everything that the Holy Spirit speaks and reveals to us is the truth straight from heaven.
Today, approach GOD’s Word with a submissive heart to HIS authority, a heart that is looking for the mind of the Holy Spirit, and a desire to be transformed into the character and integrity that is CHRIST JESUS with the help of HIS Holy Spirit.
AMFBeM ®