“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”
1 Samuel 15:23
Nobody wants a stubborn kid. I remember growing up in the stern Yoruba culture back home in Nigeria. Whenever a child rebelled against an older person’s instructions, it would alert enough people to intervene and bring down that stubbornness in the means they saw fit.
But then prayer would also accompany discipline.
The church elders would advise parents to pray for the stubborn child so he or she does not grown up with the spirit of stubbornness and rebellion.
Temperament is what it’s commonly referred to by the experts. But the Word of God states that rebellion and stubbornness both constitute as sin in the eyes of our Father.
See it’s one thing to be provoked to anger by something or someone, but it’s another thing to nurture and harbor that anger out of stubbornness and rebellion against the Spirit.
I’m a angry person,” says the stubborn and rebellion man.
Friend, the spirit says to un-clench your fists.
Many times, we find reason to hold on to hurt and disappointment, overtime molding those emotions into anger. This is when stubbornness and rebellion take root in our spirits, making it almost impossible to hear or see the many works of God all around us.
Some say “clenched fists can’t shake hands,” which is literally true.
But did you know that clenched fists can’t receive blessings, or even give assistance to those in need?
I mean, how can anyone pull you out of a hole of destruction or misery if your stretched hands clenched fists? How can you be held and comforted with clenched fists?
As entitled as we feel to the pain life sometimes bring, it’s not worth missing the glory of God in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Un-clench those fists and receive healing. Un-clench those fists and receive forgiveness. Un-clench those fists and receive restoration. Un-clench those fists and shake the hands of God. Un-clench your fists and release hate. Un-clench your fists and receive love. Un-clench your fists and give praise to the Most High God who loves you past your sins and disobedience.
Friend, Un-clench your fists and let God work!
My prayer for you today is that the Prince of Peace will speak courage and wisdom into your bones so they can release whatever poison you have clung to over the years because of your stubbornness. May the power of the Spirit cast down all other works of rebellion in you in Jesus name. Amen.
