According to our friend "Webster", Contrary means to be perverse, opposite, opposed, or in opposition. To justify ourselves, we say that these traits are merely good characteristics of independence, creativity, and ambition. But if we get down to the heart of the matter, we find that we are really rebellious, proud, contrary, and perverse. Having a contrary heart leads us to resistance, which leads to bouts of folly; i.e., anger, fits of rage, and bitterness. 

Proverbs 19:3 characterizes a contrary person this way... "A man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord."

Isaiah 30:13 warns us of this... "This perverse way of life will be like a towering, badly built wall that slowly, slowly tilts and shifts, and then one day, without warning, collapses."

Results of a contrary heart (explained through scripture) include:

• Devises Evil (Prov. 6:14)
• Continually sows discord (Prov. 6:14)
• Despised (Prov. 12:8)
• Abomination to the Lord (Prov. 11:20)

 Romans 2:5 tells us that the consequence of having a contrary heart is God's Wrath, "Because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgement will be revealed."

STEPS TO OVERCOMING A CONTRARY HEART...

King Hezekiah's prayer for the people of God was "Do not be stubborn... but submit yourselves to the Lord." (2 Chr. 30:8 NLT) 

1. Confession (Lamentations 1:20)
2. Yield to God (James 3:17)
3. Submit to God (Hebrews 12:9)

People who can overcome a contrary heart are:

• Willing to yield to others (James 2:1)
• Willing to obey God (Psalm 51:12)
• Willing to endure (2 Tim. 2:10)
• Willing to suffer for Christ (1 Peter 4:1)
• Willing to hear (Matthew 11:15)

Digging Deeper -

Most of the time, cheerful submission seems like an oxymoron. How could those two words go together? We tend to think of submission as grudging, not a matter for rejoicing. But God knows our hearts, so when He calls us to obedience, He wants our heart to be in it. God desires cheerful submission.

Ponder & Pray -

Has a contrary heart found you resisting what you know to be good and right and true? Does your quiet rebellion leave you feeling cranky and defensive with those around you? Pray for the courage to let go, to trust God, and to be willing. Pray for joy, pray for a teachable heart that will not buck against wise counsel. Trust that God's way is the best, and will not crumble and fall like castles in the aire we build for ourselves.

For November, Ladies Bible Fellowship will do our Outreach Project for Crisis Pregnancy Center, making the no-sew fleece hats and mittens. We will meet on our regular day, the second Sunday, November 8th at 6pm.

Looking ahead to December, we are planning to resume our annual "shopping trip". December's LBF will not meet on it's usual 2nd Sunday. Instead, they will meet on Saturday, December 5th for a trip to Galena. Meeting place and time will be announced.