There are words that describe someone unwilling to move away from what he or she believes such as stubborn, bull-headed, pig-headed, and pertinacious. When we think of this we think of a person that won’t listen to anyone—even when everyone believes they are wrong.
This wouldn’t typically be viewed as a godly quality. Not listening to others is generally viewed as a very negative quality. Getting advice and counsel is viewed as a good thing. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Hear counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” And Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel, purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
Getting counsel and listening to the opinions and advice of others is deemed as a wise thing to do. The real key in getting wisdom is getting it from those that have been where you are going and have done what you are getting ready to do. And especially from those that have succeeded at what you want to do. That’s when getting counsel and wisdom helps produce the greatest results.
As a Christian, one other thing key to good counsel and wisdom is getting it from someone who has a moral compass established firmly upon God’s Word. God is wisdom. Those who are wise are, because they have walked according to the counsel of God’s Word, and are your greatest source for advice and counsel except for the Word of God itself!
So is there ever a time when being stubborn, bull-headed, pertinacious or pig-headed could be a good thing? Yes! But not in dealing with people, but in dealing with the enemy of your soul, the devil.
In hard times and actually, at all times, the devil tries to discourage you with accusations and condemnation over every mistake and wrong choice you’ve made. Everyone makes mistakes and some bad choices. We all need to mature and improve by learning from God’s Word and making better decisions and right choices. Sometimes there will be painful consequences you don’t like from bad decisions. But regardless, don’t fall to the devil’s accusations. Don’t give him victory by beating yourself up, or by quitting and giving up. Do that and you let him win. If you blow it, take it to God! Immediately!
Acknowledge your mistakes and repent knowing He’ll forgive a sincere heart and help you navigate through the mistakes and possible pain that has come. He will help you! His grace will be there to help you!
As far as the enemy of your soul, be stubborn, bull-headed, pertinacious and pig-headed. Get in his face and declare that you stand solely by God’s mercy and grace and that you will stand in it! You tell him you are forgiven, that God loves you, that Jesus died for your sins and don’t budge!
He’ll try to give you 100 reasons why that isn’t true for you. He’ll tell you that you’ve crossed the line too many times. He’ll tell you that God is tired of you and has abandoned you! When that happens, be stubborn and don’t budge! Psalms 107:2 says,”Let the redeemed of the LORD say so … .” You say so! You say out loud, God loves me! God forgives me. God will never leave me. And then do your best to follow the counsel of His Word!
If sickness and disease comes against you and tries to take your health or life, fight the battle! Get in the enemy’s face and despite any circumstances confronting you, say what David said in, Psalm 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
There is a godly stubbornness. It’s called being tenacious. It’s called “fighting the good fight of faith.” 1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.” And then it says to be even more tenacious. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
When I was a young Christian, my pastor gave me one of the best pieces of godly counsel I ever received. He said, Don’t ever yield anything good that God has given you back to the devil. He may try to steal it, but in your heart and in the spirit, don’t let him have it. No matter what happens, fight for it. Take authority over him and declare him caught. Pray that the angels of God help you get it back. NEVER yield your blessings to the devil. NEVER! The devil has no right to what God has redeemed you from and blessed you with!
That was life-changing counsel and has helped me so much. I made it a core value in my life and lived that counsel out over the next 38 years. It has made me strong in the Lord and the power of His might. It has made me tenacious against the devil.
Be considerate and open and yielding to people where possible. Appreciate good counsel. But when it comes to the devil, never be a doormat for him to abuse you. Be unmovable and stand on God’s Word for His love, forgiveness, His promised help, deliverance and blessing. Declare what God has declared over you to his face! And continue to stand in faith until you have His blessing in your hand. Blessing belongs to you! Jesus died for it. Honor Jesus by standing strong as He did for you and I!
1 Thessalonians 5:17-21 “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good.”
Tim Burt has been an associate pastor at Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, since 1989. For the original article, click here.
James Lasher 
L.A. Marzulli 
