We left off our story with Evangelist telling Christian to run towards the light and the Wicket-Gate. Christian began to run towards the Wicket-Gate once he heard the instructions. As Christian began to run from the City of Destruction his family cried for him to return. Christian put his fingers in his ears and ran on, crying, “Life! Life! Eternal life!”
His neighbors came out to see him run, and they began to mock him. Two men were committed to bringing Christian back to the City of Destruction, so they set off after him. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other was Pliable.
Obstinate
Christian told the two men that he was fleeing the City of Destruction, due to the fact that God was going to bring judgment. Christian invited Obstinate and Pliable to join him in forsaking the City.
Obstinate asked, “And leave our friends and comforts behind us?” Christian explained that he was seeking an “inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, which is laid up in Heaven” (Heb. 11:13-16). Obstinate became convinced that Christian was out of his mind. Obstinate didn’t want to hear such foolishness from Christian’s Book. The thought of believing in Christian’s pursuit was absurd to Obstinate. From that moment Obstinate decided to go back to the City of Destruction and continue living as he had always done. Christian wasn’t going to be able to change Obstinate’s mind.
The definition of “obstinate” is “firmly or stubbornly adhering to one’s purpose, or opinion; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty; inflexible persistence.”
That definition accurately sums up Obstinate. Obstinate accepts things as they are, resisting any change, and thinks anyone is a fool who undertakes a pilgrimage like Christian’s. He was an immovable object, stubbornly rejecting Christian’s faith.
“A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise’ (Prov. 12:15 God’s Word Translation).
Obstinate didn’t want to forsake his family and comforts. He’d rather risk the chance of God’s judgment being untrue than be considered a fool for pursuing some type of heavenly place.
Application
First, you are going to meet many obstinate people on your Christian pilgrimage. You will have family members calling for you to return to the old life. There will be friends and neighbors who will call you foolish or brainwashed. The Bible refers to such people as “stubborn” (Deut. 10:16; Ps. 81:12; Acts 19:9); “hard-hearted” (Pro. 28:14); and “stiff-necked” (Ex. 32:9; Acts 7:51). People who are unyielding to God’s Word and Spirit are obstinate, and you will never change their minds with mere arguments (Col. 2:4). It will have to be the work of the Holy Spirit to change their hearts and minds (Ezk. 36:26).
Second, do not be like Obstinate. Now, this is a paradox. If we are to be steadfast in what we believe (Acts 2:42), and defend what we believe (1 Pt. 3:15-16), how are we any different than Obstinate? Here is the difference: Obstinate was stubbornly adhering to his opinions and preferences. On the other hand Christian was unyielding in his belief in God’s Word. It’s one thing to be obstinate about preferences, it’s another thing to be committed to the One who doesn’t change (Mal. 3:6)! Preferences and opinions can change, but the Word of God is forever settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89)!
Beloved, carry on! Run towards the Wicket-Gate, and leave obstinate people behind.