CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Futility of Resisting God</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_futility_of_resisting_god.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/9-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/f/futility.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Futility of Resisting God</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_religious_rituals.htm" title="The Futility of Religious Rituals">◄</a> The Futility of Resisting God <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_returning_to_old_bondages.htm" title="The Futility of Returning to Old Bondages">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The concept of the futility of resisting God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over His creation. This theme underscores the belief that human efforts to oppose or thwart God's will are ultimately in vain, as His purposes will prevail.<br><br><b>Old Testament Examples</b><br><br>One of the earliest examples of the futility of resisting God is found in the account of Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite numerous plagues and warnings, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he resisted God's command to let the Israelites go. In <a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Exodus 9:16</a> , God declares, "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Pharaoh's resistance only served to demonstrate God's power and fulfill His divine plan.<br><br>The prophet Jonah also experienced the futility of resisting God's call. When God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, Jonah attempted to flee in the opposite direction. However, God sent a great storm and a fish to redirect Jonah's path, as described in <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17</a> : "Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish." Jonah's resistance was futile, and he ultimately fulfilled God's command.<br><br><b>New Testament Insights</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the futility of resisting God is further emphasized through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Acts 5:38-39</a> , Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, advises the Sanhedrin regarding the apostles: "So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God." This passage highlights the belief that human opposition cannot thwart God's divine purposes.<br><br>The Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, is another example of the futility of resisting God. Initially, Saul persecuted Christians, but on the road to Damascus, he encountered the risen Christ. In <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14</a> , Jesus says to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." This metaphor illustrates the futility and pain of resisting God's will, leading to Saul's transformation into Paul, a devoted apostle of Christ.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The futility of resisting God is rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty and omnipotence. <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a> declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.'" This verse affirms that God's plans are unchangeable and will be accomplished regardless of human opposition.<br><br>Furthermore, the futility of resisting God serves as a reminder of the need for humility and submission to His will. <a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7</a> exhorts believers, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This call to submission is a recognition of God's ultimate authority and the wisdom of aligning oneself with His purposes.<br><br><b>Practical Applications</b><br><br>Understanding the futility of resisting God encourages believers to trust in His plans and timing, even when circumstances seem challenging or contrary to human understanding. <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a> states, "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse reassures believers that God's purposes are ultimately for their good and His glory.<br><br>In prayer and decision-making, acknowledging the futility of resisting God leads to seeking His guidance and aligning one's desires with His will. This attitude fosters a spirit of obedience and faith, recognizing that God's ways are higher than human ways, as expressed in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a> : "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/f/futility.htm">Futility</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/times.htm">Times (1875 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/time.htm">Time (7245 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/astrology.htm">Astrology</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eternity.htm">Eternity (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/foreknow.htm">Foreknow (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/foreknowledge.htm">Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trust.htm">Trust (201 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eternal.htm">Eternal (166 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/posterity.htm">Posterity (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/type.htm">Type (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/last.htm">Last (1087 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/far-off.htm">Far-off (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/omniscience.htm">Omniscience</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pledge.htm">Pledge (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol (64 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/immortal.htm">Immortal (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/immortality.htm">Immortality (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prophets.htm">Prophets (270 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/accommodation.htm">Accommodation (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/retribution.htm">Retribution (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/augury.htm">Augury (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/everlasting.htm">Everlasting (192 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/arts.htm">Arts (48 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/punishment.htm">Punishment (417 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hereafter.htm">Hereafter (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/q/quotations.htm">Quotations</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/divination.htm">Divination (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resurrection.htm">Resurrection (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/will.htm">Will (64996 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ir-ha-heres.htm">Ir-ha-heres</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/irhaheres.htm">Irhaheres</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/foresight.htm">Foresight (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/foretaste.htm">Foretaste (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/treasure.htm">Treasure (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/throne.htm">Throne (181 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reserve.htm">Reserve (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/readers.htm">Readers (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/destine.htm">Destine (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/perdition.htm">Perdition (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/provide.htm">Provide (74 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/consulted.htm">Consulted (33 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/coming.htm">Coming</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/copy.htm">Copy (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/surety.htm">Surety (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prophet.htm">Prophet (315 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/events.htm">Events (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/salvation.htm">Salvation (386 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pauline.htm">Pauline</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/end.htm">End (3706 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/election.htm">Election (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness.htm">Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eschatology.htm">Eschatology</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/parousia.htm">Parousia</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faithful.htm">Faithful (136 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/messiah.htm">Messiah (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim (168 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/names.htm">Names (133 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hope.htm">Hope (291 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/positions.htm">Positions (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/greece.htm">Greece (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/immanuel.htm">Immanuel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/heavens.htm">Heavens (548 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth (10501 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ancient.htm">Ancient (64 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mouth.htm">Mouth (534 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reading.htm">Reading (58 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beatitudes.htm">Beatitudes</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/deuteronomy.htm">Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/education.htm">Education (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prince.htm">Prince (160 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sodomite.htm">Sodomite (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/alexander.htm">Alexander (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam (62 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/destruction.htm">Destruction (734 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gaal.htm">Gaal (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/futility.htm">Futility (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jehovah.htm">Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/y/yahweh.htm">Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_religious_rituals.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Futility of Religious Rituals"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Futility of Religious Rituals" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_returning_to_old_bondages.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Futility of Returning to Old Bondages"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Futility of Returning to Old Bondages" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>