It is very common for individuals to resist God's Word and the Holy Spirit, we may catch ourselves doing it now and then. This resistance often stems from a desire to maintain control over one's life and views, to avoid the discomfort of confronting one's sins, or to follow the ways of the world rather than submitting to the Lord. The dangers of resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit are profound and far-reaching, with consequences that can affect not only our spiritual well-being but also our relationships, mental and physical health, and our eternal destiny.
Foremost, resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit can lead
to a hardened heart. The Bible warns us of this danger in Hebrews 3:7-8: "Today,
if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, during
the time of testing in the wilderness." When we resist the Holy
Spirit's guidance and refuse to submit to the truth of God's Word, our hearts
become hardened, making it increasingly difficult for us to hear and respond to
the Lord's voice. This hardening process can eventually result in a total
rejection of God and a life lived in rebellion against Him.
Resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit can lead to
spiritual blindness. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the Apostle Paul writes: "The
god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see
the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of
God." When we resist the truth of the Bible and the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, we become vulnerable to the enemy's deception and lies. This
spiritual blindness can cause us to make choices that lead us further away from
God and His plan for our lives.
Another danger of resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit
is the risk of quenching the Spirit's work in our lives. In 1 Thessalonians
5:19, Paul exhorts believers not to "quench the Spirit." When
we resist the Holy Spirit's guidance and refuse to submit to God's Word, we
effectively stifle the Spirit's work within us. This can cause a lack of
spiritual growth, a diminished ability to discern God's will, and a weakened
capacity to serve and minister to others.
Resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit can also lead to a
life of disobedience and sin. In Ephesians 4:30, Paul warns believers not to
"grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption." When we resist the Holy Spirit and God's Word, we open
ourselves up to sin and disobedience, which can have devastating consequences
for our spiritual well-being and our relationships. Disobedience can lead to chastisement from God, as Hebrews 12:6 reminds us:
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son
whom he receives."
Finally, resisting God's Word and the Holy Spirit can have
eternal consequences. In Acts 7:51, Stephen, the first Christian martyr,
accused the religious leaders of his day of resisting the Holy Spirit: "You
stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just
like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" These
religious leaders ultimately rejected Jesus as the Messiah, resulting in their
eternal separation from God, this resistance places many in danger of missing out on the salvation that comes
through faith in Jesus Christ.
Considering these dangers, it is crucial that we, as
followers of Christ, be vigilant against the temptation to resist God's Word
and the Holy Spirit. Instead, we must strive to cultivate a heart that is open
to the Lord's guidance, submitting ourselves to the truth of Scripture and the
leading of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, we will experience the abundant life
that Jesus promised in John 10:10: "I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge our tendency to resist Your
Word and the Holy Spirit. We ask for Your forgiveness and for the grace to
cultivate a heart that is receptive to Your guidance. Help us submit to the
truth of Scripture and to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Strengthen us to resist the enemy's deception and to walk in obedience to Your
will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.