Stiff-Necked Sunday Christians

Stiff-necked Christians are deceived. They should know better. Their belief system has blinded them to the truth. - Clint Decker 

We love our dog, Buster. But there are times when he refuses to cooperate. On occasions when we say “come,” he will stay right where he is at. We might even put a leash on him, and he will dig in. Our loveable Buster, at times, becomes “stiff-necked.” (Image by freepik)

Ancient farmers would use the term to describe uncooperative oxen. A team would be harnessed and ready to pull a plow or cart for work, but sometimes an ox would dig in and not go as directed, no matter what the farmer did.

This picture eventually became a spiritual metaphor in the Bible for religious people that stubbornly refused to follow God’s ways. God Himself used the term to describe His own people whom He had a covenant relationship with, “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.’” (Exodus 32:9) At times, God would direct one of His preachers to confront them. Stephen once boldly spoke before a crowd, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51)

Centuries ago, there were some desperate leaders that came to Jeremiah, a well-known preacher. He had been speaking God’s Word in Israel for decades, and the nation urgently needed to hear from God. They said to Jeremiah, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us….” (Jeremiah 42:2) After Jeremiah agreed, they replied, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us.” (Jer. 42:5) Out of love for God and them, Jeremiah hide himself away for 10 days, and sought the Lord on their behalf. Afterward, he called the people together and shared all that God had spoken. He did not hide anything. How did they respond? They gave an immediate and very obstinate response, telling Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say [those things].” (Jer. 43:3)

This an example of being stiff-necked. God gave them direction, but they did not want to follow. The Bible says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-8) A stiff-necked person is one who has a hardening of their heart toward God’s instructions. It is a stubbornness that refuses to follow God’s ways. And it is interesting that the term is only used of God’s people. Why? Because they should know better.

Professing Christians have the Word of God. They read, study and memorize it, and hear it expounded upon in church. They take the cup and bread in Holy Communion and also step into the waters of baptism. They have what others do not, and with that comes a greater level of responsibility. Therefore, when God speaks through His faithful servants, He expects obedience, but instead what He often sees, is a hardness of heart.

Stiff-necked Sunday Christians are deceived. They should know better. Their dangerous belief system has blinded them to the truth. Their beliefs have a particular narrative that supersedes the authority of Scripture, and is subject to the way they view the world, and how they choose to live.

The most significant display of stiff-necked religious people the world has ever seen, was the cross. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and fulfilled all the Scriptures foretelling it. Yet, because Jesus did not fit the picture of what they were expecting, they became biblical revisionists and refused to believe in Him. Then they took things a step further, they killed Him. Though their stubbornness was immense, Christ overcome their evil when He rose from the dead. Then despite their crimes against Him, Jesus was graciously willing to forgive all who would repent and place their faith in Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will drop the scales of stubbornness from the eyes of people. Soften their hard hearts. Tender their stiff necks. For the sake of their lives and eternal souls bring them to be made new this hour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.