“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” — Acts 7:51
Few words sting as sharply as those spoken by Stephen just before he was martyred. He didn’t accuse the Sanhedrin of ignorance or error. He accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit—a willful, generational defiance of God’s voice. The language is strong, because the stakes are eternal. Resistance to the Holy Spirit is more than disobedience. It’s relational rebellion.
But there’s another way. The Spirit’s voice doesn’t only confront—it also calls, comforts, and directs. In Acts 8:29–30, we see Philip quickly obey the Spirit’s prompt to reach one soul, and revival follows. Today we’ll contrast these two paths: stubborn resistance vs. joyful surrender.
🚧 What Does It Mean to Resist the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 7:51, Stephen rebukes the religious leaders for resisting the Spirit. The Greek word for “resist” is antipiptō, which means “to fall against, oppose, or push back.” It implies force, defiance, and a hardened stance.
This was not a moment of accidental failure. It was a posture. Stephen says, “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” Their fathers had done the same, killing the prophets. Now they were rejecting Jesus. And the same Spirit who spoke through the prophets and revealed Christ was being pushed away.
⚠️ Signs of Resistance
- Delayed obedience — Saying “later” to what God says “now”
- Persistent sin — Clinging to behavior we know is wrong
- Closed ears — Refusing correction from the Word or wise counsel
- Religious pretense — Outward form without inward submission
Resisting the Spirit does not mean we lose His presence—but we silence His voice, quench His fire, and dull our hearts. Over time, that resistance hardens into pride.
🙌 What Does It Look Like to Obey the Spirit?
Just one chapter later, in Acts 8:29–30, we meet Philip—an ordinary man used in extraordinary ways:
“And the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’” — Acts 8:29–30
The contrast is striking: The religious elite resisted, but Philip ran. That one act of obedience led to the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch and the spread of the gospel into Africa. Obedience to the Spirit is often simple, personal, and immediate. It starts with a heart that says, “Yes, Lord.”
🎯 Word Study: “Ran”
The verb “ran” (trechō in Greek) suggests urgency and enthusiasm. Philip didn’t debate, stall, or question—he responded with joy and trust. Obedience is not only about action—it’s about attitude.
🌿 When We Obey the Spirit
- He reveals divine appointments (Acts 10:19–20)
- He uses us in ways we never imagined (Acts 13:2–3)
- He deepens our sensitivity to His voice (John 10:27)
- He fills us with peace and joy in believing (Romans 15:13)
The Holy Spirit is not seeking superstars. He is seeking surrendered hearts. Obedience fuels intimacy, opens doors, and displays God’s power through us.
🛠️ Life Application: How Can I Stop Resisting?
Here are a few practical steps to move from resistance to surrender:
- Ask God to soften your heart — “Search me, O God…” (Psalm 139:23–24)
- Respond immediately to conviction — Don’t wait. Don’t argue.
- Say yes to the small things — Obedience grows in everyday moments
- Invite accountability — Let others help you stay tender to His voice
Jesus said:
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” — John 14:23
Obedience is love in action. And when we obey the Spirit, He makes His home in us—not only in presence but in pleasure.
⚖️ Stubborn or Surrendered?
You don’t need to resist anymore. The Spirit isn’t trying to control you—He’s inviting you. He’s not pushing you—He’s drawing you.
Each day is a choice: Will you stiffen your neck, or bow your heart?
Will you keep saying “maybe later,” or will you say “yes” right now?
The Holy Spirit lives in you. Let Him lead. Let Him speak. Let Him work. You’ll never regret surrender.
