Bible Reading: Proverbs 27, 28, 29; 2 Corinthians 10
“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” – Proverb 29:1 (KJV).
Sin hardens the heart of a person. When man sinned against God, his heart became hardened and insensitive to God, to His word and to the dealings of the Holy Spirit. The conscience gradually died and man lost the fear of God and remorse for sin. Man became stiff-necked as a result of self-will, rebellion and self-way. The lost and fallen man began to chart his course outside God’s will and way. Man became disobedient and self centered. Disobedience and self-will became man’s way of life.
One of the things the Holy Spirit does in the life of a Christian is to conquer the will and bring the Christian to the place of submission and obedience to the will of God. The stiff neck is broken and properly harnessed through discipleship making the believer humble and yielding to God, to His word and to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Hardness of heart leads to stiff neck. As one studies the word of God and maintain an intimate walk with the Holy Spirit, the scriptures and the Holy Spirit begins to reprove the believer. This reproof, rebuke, correction, instruction and guidance help the Christian to obey and follow divine leading and guidance. The path of hardness of heart and stiffness of neck is a dangerous path to take.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, break every stiff neck and enable me to walk in obedience to your word and the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu