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<!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: Resistance to Divine Truth</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/r/resistance_to_divine_truth.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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/bsb/genesis/3.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/r/resistance.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> > Resistance to Divine Truth</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/r/resistance_to_change.htm" title="Resistance to Change">◄</a> Resistance to Divine Truth <a href="/topical/r/resistance_to_god's_call.htm" title="Resistance to God's Call">►</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>Resistance to divine truth is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating humanity's struggle with accepting and adhering to God's revelations and commandments. This resistance can manifest in various forms, including disbelief, disobedience, and outright rebellion against God's will.<br><br><b>Old Testament Examples</b><br><br>1. <b>The Fall of Man</b>: The earliest instance of resistance to divine truth is found in <a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>, where Adam and Eve disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Despite knowing the truth, they succumb to the serpent's deception, leading to the fall of humanity.<br><br>2. <b>Israel's Rebellion</b>: Throughout the history of Israel, the people frequently resisted God's truth. In <a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Exodus 32</a>, while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the Israelites created a golden calf to worship, directly violating God's commandments. This act of idolatry exemplifies their resistance to divine instruction.<br><br>3. <b>Prophetic Rejection</b>: The prophets often faced resistance when delivering God's messages. In <a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-26</a> , God laments, "From the day your fathers came out of Egypt until today, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers."<br><br><b>New Testament Examples</b><br><br>1. <b>The Pharisees and Jesus</b>: The religious leaders of Jesus' time, particularly the Pharisees, frequently resisted His teachings. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His wisdom, they often rejected Him, as seen in <a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-40</a> : "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him."<br><br>2. <b>The Stoning of Stephen</b>: In <a href="/bsb/acts/7.htm">Acts 7</a>, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, confronts the Sanhedrin with their resistance to the Holy Spirit. He accuses them of being "stiff-necked" and "uncircumcised in heart and ears," always resisting the truth, just as their ancestors did.<br><br>3. <b>Paul's Ministry</b>: The Apostle Paul frequently encountered resistance during his missionary journeys. In <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Acts 19:9</a> , some in Ephesus "became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way." Despite such opposition, Paul continued to preach the gospel.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>Resistance to divine truth is often rooted in pride, self-reliance, and a hardened heart. Scripture warns of the consequences of such resistance, emphasizing the importance of humility and obedience. <a href="/proverbs/29.htm">Proverbs 29:1</a> states, "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery."<br><br><b>Spiritual Warfare</b><br><br>The New Testament also frames resistance to divine truth as part of spiritual warfare. In <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a> , Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Believers are called to stand firm in the truth, equipped with the armor of God.<br><br><b>Encouragement to Believers</b><br><br>Despite the prevalence of resistance, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith. <a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7</a> advises, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The call is to embrace divine truth, allowing it to transform lives and guide actions.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>Resistance to divine truth is a significant biblical theme, highlighting the tension between human will and God's sovereign purposes. Through the examples of resistance and the exhortations to faithfulness, Scripture provides a clear call to embrace and uphold the truth of God's Word.</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/r/resistance.htm">Resistance</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resist.htm">Resist (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tyre.htm">Tyre (59 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/volition.htm">Volition</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nabathaeans.htm">Nabathaeans</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nabataeans.htm">Nabataeans</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/opposed.htm">Opposed (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wrestling.htm">Wrestling (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a 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