The concept of being insistent, characterized by persistent and sometimes forceful assertion, is reflected in various narratives and teachings throughout the Bible. This trait can be seen both positively and negatively, depending on the context and the motivations behind the insistence.

Positive Aspects of Insistence

1. Perseverance in Prayer: One of the most notable examples of positive insistence is found in the teachings of Jesus regarding prayer. In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus illustrates the importance of persistent prayer. The widow's continual pleas to the unjust judge eventually lead to her receiving justice. Jesus uses this parable to encourage His followers to be persistent in their prayers, emphasizing that God, unlike the unjust judge, is righteous and attentive to the cries of His people. The Berean Standard Bible states, "And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?" (Luke 18:7).

2. Faith and Determination: The account of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 demonstrates a positive form of insistence. Despite initial resistance, the woman's unwavering faith and determination to seek healing for her daughter lead to Jesus commending her faith and granting her request. Her insistence is portrayed as an expression of deep faith and trust in Jesus' power and mercy.

Negative Aspects of Insistence

1. Stubbornness and Rebellion: Insistence can also manifest negatively as stubbornness or rebellion against God's will. The Israelites in the wilderness often displayed a negative form of insistence, repeatedly grumbling and demanding their own way despite God's provision and guidance. In Numbers 14:22, God expresses His frustration with their persistent unbelief and rebellion: "not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times" .

2. Pride and Self-Will: King Saul's insistence on his own way, despite clear instructions from God, serves as a cautionary tale. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul's insistence on sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, contrary to God's command, leads to his rejection as king. Samuel rebukes Saul, saying, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul's insistence is rooted in pride and self-will, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Wisdom and Discernment

The Bible encourages believers to exercise wisdom and discernment in their insistence. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage underscores the importance of aligning one's desires and persistence with God's will, rather than relying solely on human understanding or desires.

In summary, the Bible presents insistence as a multifaceted trait that can be either virtuous or detrimental, depending on the context and underlying motivations. Believers are encouraged to be persistent in their faith and prayer, while also being cautious of stubbornness and self-will that oppose God's purposes.1. (a.) Urgent; persistent; persevering.

2. (a.) Standing or resting on something; as, an insistent wall.

3. (a.) See Incumbent.

1945. epikeimai -- to lie on
... to lie on. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epikeimai Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ik'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I lie upon, am insistent Definition: (a) dat: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1945.htm - 7k

Beyond Cincinnati
... He was most insistent on maintaining the missionary program, which he
held to be the very heart-beat of the life of the Church. ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/beyond cincinnati.htm

The Heart-Strings of God.
... For there's a tender heart that's easily tugged at one end, and an insistent tugging
at the other. The tugging never ceases. ... It grew tenser and more insistent. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the heart-strings of god.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... they passed. The constant insistent problem in this region was and is
how to secure adequate supplies of food and water. During ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... vital importance. He was not only insistent in urging prayer upon the Church
in his day, but he urged persistent praying. "Continue ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

Prayer and Importunity
... prayer. And the servant is not greater than his Lord. The Parable of the
Importunate Widow is a classic of insistent prayer. We ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

Changed Conditions
... We listened respectfully, as in duty bound, and waited for the pendulum to
swing. Upon one point, however, the powers were insistent. ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

Useful Phrases
... bravely vanquished. braying trumpet. brazen importunity [importunity = insistent
request]. ... important epoch. importunate questions [importunate = insistent request ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

Christianity
... Human beings are neither sinning nor suffering because a possible first man away
back somewhere ate forbidden fruit at the insistent appeal of his too ...
/.../haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christianity.htm

Making and Breaking Connections.
... among others. Jesus' promise and insistent words make plain the necessity
of our having power if His plan for us is not to fail. His ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on power/making and breaking connections.htm

Corinth
... Whereas the teaching of Jesus had been the announcement of the kingdom of God, the
illustration of its character, and the insistent call to men to repent, the ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/iv corinth.htm

Insistent (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Urgent; persistent; persevering. 2. (a.) Standing or resting on something;
as, an insistent wall. ... Multi-Version Concordance Insistent (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/insistent.htm - 7k

Insistently (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an insistent manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Insistently (2 Occurrences). Mark 14:31 But he ...
/i/insistently.htm - 7k

Insisted (9 Occurrences)

/i/insisted.htm - 8k

Offenses (23 Occurrences)
... another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person
is powerfully effective. (WEB). Genesis 41:9 Then the ...
/o/offenses.htm - 12k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... (3) Pe`ullah generally means "work," "labor," "reward," "wages." The old Levitical
Law was insistent on honesty in wages and on promptness in payments: "The ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Effective (4 Occurrences)
... pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a
righteous person is powerfully effective. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/e/effective.htm - 8k

Effects (6 Occurrences)
... another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person
is powerfully effective. (See RSV). 1 Samuel 1:14 And ...
/e/effects.htm - 8k

Powerfully (6 Occurrences)
... another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person
is powerfully effective. (WEB). Judges 16:30 and Samson ...
/p/powerfully.htm - 8k

Accomplish (44 Occurrences)
... another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person
is powerfully effective. (See NAS). 3 John 1:5 Beloved ...
/a/accomplish.htm - 21k

Powerful (93 Occurrences)
... another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person
is powerfully effective. (Root in WEB NIV). 1 Peter 5:6 be ...
/p/powerful.htm - 34k

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