Posted on May 11, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
I know it’s hard to believe, any of you that know me, but on occasion I have been accused of being stubborn. Shocking right? What one person (my husband) sees as stubborn another (me) sees as determination and decisiveness.
According to www.merriam-webster.com the definition of Stubborn is 1) unreasonably or perversely unyielding; 2) performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner; 3) difficult to handle, manage, or treat.[1]
I’d be lying if I denied that sometimes Merriam-Webster describes me to a T. But more seriously, as I searched the Scriptures for what God had to say about stubbornness, hard-heartedness, rebellion, and being stiff necked – I saw myself here as well. It is so easy to look at Israel and shake our heads with a tsk-tsk, but I am more like Israel than I care to admit, and unfortunately it’s neither determination nor decisiveness – it’s just plain sin.
There are many examples of stubborn individuals (i.e. King Nebuchadnezzar– Daniel 5:20) and stubborn peoples (i.e. Israel). In the Bible, stubbornness is associated with pride (Daniel 5:4), disobedience (Deuteronomy 9:23), rebellion (Deuteronomy 31:27), unbelief (Acts 19:9), idolatry (2 Kings 17:14-15), deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13), resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), unfaithfulness and a wavering heart (Psalm 78:8), following one’s own counsel (Psalm 81:12), being far from righteousness (Isaiah 46:12), unwillingness to listen (Ex 3:7), being stiff-necked (Ex 32:9), and having a hardened heart (2 Chronicles 36:13).
Biblically, stubbornness screams of self and denies there is an authority or power greater than self. So now the question is not, “Does Merriam-Webster describe me to a T?” but “Does God’s definition describe me to a T?” I dare say, at times? Yes.
To put off a stubborn spirit we begin with confession and repentance:
And then…
Put on fear of the Lord– Proverbs 28:14
Put on obedience– Ex 23:21
Put on faith and belief—Psalm 31:23
Put on submission—James 4:7
Put on a yielded spirit– 2 Chronicles 30:8
Put on a listening ear– Proverbs 1:24-25, 33
Put on Spirit and truth filled worship – John 4:24
Put on a steadfast spirit– Psalm 57:7
Put on faithfulness– Psalm 37:3
Let’s do some soul searching. Do I have a hardened heart? Am I stiff necked? Am I rebellious? Am I stubborn?
Lord, in the many ways I resist Your way, forgive me. For all the ways I fail to submit to You, forgive me. For the stubbornness in my heart, forgive me. For when I have failed to listen to You, please forgive me. Lord may there be evidence to others and to me that I have a yielded, submitted spirit.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “When asked, what is more important: praying or reading the Bible? I ask, ‘What is more important: breathing in or breathing out?’” – Russ Scalzo
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 427 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!