I used to be very stubborn, and every so often, if I find myself being stubborn, I turn my behavior over to the Lord and ask him for help. Like many issues, we might have, stubbornness has its roots in pride. When we think we know best and stubbornly refuse to turn to other courses of action, that’s pride. 

While reading through Revelation today, I wondered, as I usually do when I read through Revelation, how people could suffer through the end-time plagues and woes yet still not repent. As seen here in Revelation 16.

They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done (emphasis added).

Revelation 16:9-11 (NIV)

The answer, of course, is pride. The same sort of pride we saw when the Lord afflicted Egypt with the ten plagues and Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh hardened his heart against the Israelites three times despite the plagues the Lord sent on Egypt (Exodus 8:15,32, 9:34). Five times, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart despite the plagues (Exodus 9:12,10:1,10:20,10:27,11:10). 

Although Revelation doesn’t tell us that people will harden their hearts and, therefore, not repent, it’s logical to presume this is the case because of how hearts get hardened.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (emphasis added).

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This verse from Hebrews reveals to us why hearts get hardened; “by sin’s deceitfulness.” Therefore, when we are stubborn and prideful, believing our way to be best, we’re allowing ourselves to be deceived, thereby hardening our hearts. This explains what’s happening with people who have eyes but do not see, ears that do not hear, and hearts that do not understand. It also explains all the verses, such as this one from 2 Thessalonians. 

For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 (NIV)

People are deceived by sin and refuse to repent, which allows them to believe whatever lies come their way as long as those lies fit within their own paradigm. As for Christians, our eyes and ears have been opened, and our hearts softened so we can receive the Gospel message and act accordingly. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.