Removing the Blinders

Balak was a king of ancient Moab. He was terrified of the Israelite nation as they made their way to the Land of Canaan after deliverance from slavery in Egypt. So, he sent for a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites. With wisdom Balaam consulted God. 

(Read about it in Numbers 22-24.)

God refused to allow Balaam to curse the Israelites so Balaam sent word back to King Balak to that effect. Not satisfied with his response, King Balak offered great wealth to Balaam if he would curse the Israelites. Balaam told the king’s messengers that he had already received an answer from God, but if they would stay overnight he would consult God once again. This time God told Balaam to go to King Balak! But He told him to do only what he was instructed. Balaam joyfully left with the king’s messengers. Then, God became angry with Balaam.

It might seem odd that God would first refuse to allow Balaam to go, then give Balaam permission to go, and then become angry when Balaam went. 

This oddity is answered in the text...

As Balaam was on his way to King Balak an angel of God, with sword drawn, blocked the road. Three times Balaam’s donkey turned away, and three times Balaam became angry at the donkey’s stubbornness. Finally, God opened the mouth of the donkey and a brief conversation followed between man and beast! Only then were Balaam’s eyes opened. Only then did he see the angel and realize that he was in the wrong. The angel then repeated God’s message to Balaam: Go to King Balak, but do only what God tells you to do.

The fact that God repeated this part of His instruction suggests that Balaam’s motives were impure. It appears that Balaam was more excited about the permission to go than the instruction to do only what God told him. God appears to have been angry with Balaam for only half-listening to what He had said.

Parents have to deal with this kind of thing. Their teen asks permission to attend a party with friends. Initially the parents refuse, but later, after repeated pleading on the part of the teen, give in. As soon as permission is granted the teen bolts to the phone to tell her friends the good news. The parents then regret having given permission.

They gave permission to attend the party, but not permission to engage in questionable activities. They realize that their teen had only half-listened, hearing the permission to go but giving little thought further instruction. At that point the parents recognize the need for a serious conversation with their teen regarding her moral behavior, responsibility, respect, good character, and curfew.

Balaam undoubtedly found God’s permission very gratifying. However, the promise of wealth became a distraction. His desire to satisfy himself had blinded him to God’s own desire for His people. God had to ‘remove the blinders’ from Balaam so that he could see the will of God.

The distractions of this life and all its thrills may blind Christians to the will of God. Wealth, entertainment and success in our own little corner of the world are tantalizing offers. These things, and even Christian liberties can become blinders of selfishness, pride, and stubbornness that are sure to mask the will of God. Only when these blinders are removed will we see clearly so that we can carry out the will of God in our lives.

Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

—Romans 12:1-2

Mark Stinnett

June 30, 2024

Four Times When You 'Should' Be Stubborn

In general, stubbornness is a negative trait. A stubborn person is unyielding; they simply will not change. “It’s my way or the highway,” seems to be their mindset. Yet, there are times when we really ought to be stubborn. Here are four times in which you ought to be stubborn.

Stubborn when Tempted:

James reminds us that we are tempted to sin when we are drawn away by our own desires. So, temptation is really not temptation if there is no desire. That is why temptation is so serious, it comes from a desire already within us. (James 1:13-15)

After telling about a number of ways that God had dealt with evil in the past, the Apostle Peter wrote:

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 
—2 Peter 2:9 (NASB95)

The Apostle Paul encouraged:

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 
—1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95)

God wants us to overcome temptation and He will help! Be stubborn when tempted.

Stubborn Faith:

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, they thought He was a ‘spirit.’

And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 
 —Luke 24:38 (NASB95)

Jesus had to show the scars on His hands and feet and eat some food because His disciples doubted what they saw standing in front of them.

Faith is about stubbornly holding on to the truth even when it seems unreal; even when we can’t prove the truth by experimentation; even when we cannot see it with our physical eyes. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” So, whether challenged by circumstances or society, be stubborn in your faith in Jesus.

Stubborn in Doing Good:

It is easy to start thinking, “When is it going to be my turn? When will I get a little attention? Where’s my reward for doing good?”

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let’s practice doing good to everyone, especially to the family of faith. 
—Galatians 6:9–10 (ISV)

Stubborn throughout Life:

Have you ever thought about giving up on Jesus? Year after year after year you watch people who have no respect for God succeed in life. They seem to have a life of pleasure and ease while you, a Christian, struggling in different ways. It seems unfair. Yet, Paul wrote...

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The victor’s crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes, and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing.
—2 Timothy 4:7–8 (ISV)

Generally, stubbornness is not good, but as it relates to temptation, faith, good works, and the Christian life...

Be Stubborn! 

Be Faithful!

Mark Stinnett

March 8, 2020  

Have You Ever Known Anyone Broken Beyond Repair?

You can see the attitude by the physical posture. Jaws clenched, body tense, eyes squeezed into a squint. If seated, they might actually stand. They will not listen to or accept what you say. They are braced for action, or more accurately, braced to reject.

• You might see such a reaction in a teen whose father is giving her a reprimand.
• You might see such a reaction in an employee whose boss is giving him strong correction regarding his work performance.
• You might see such a reaction in a person who simply does not want to listen to instruction.

In the Bible this overall outward posture of rejection is sometimes referred to as a ‘stiff neck’ or a ‘hardened neck.’ Solomon, has a something to say, a warning:

     A man who hardens his neck after much reproof

     Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

     --Proverbs 29:1

The person who receives correction over and over, but continually ‘hardens his neck’ is the person who rejects instruction, rejects correction, and rejects discipline. This person is elsewhere called the ‘scoffer.’ He is unteachable.

Ultimately, he will be broken, but still unteachable.

_______________

We must humble ourselves so that we can carry on a civil conversation with others when there is a disagreement. We must insure that we keep our hearts soft and able to accept instruction, accept correction, and accept discipline.

The warning is to each of us. ‘Harden your neck’ too often and you will become the scoffer! And you will eventually be broken beyond repair.

Be wise, be humble.