The Psalmist said: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalm 119:105.
God speaks and He speaks to man through different medium and methods. He spoke in the past through different ways and manners (Hebrews 1:1-2); “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the world,” (KJV). God can choose to communicate with anyone and it can be through audible voice or circumstances and events. He can communicate through nature or men. He can disclose plans and purposes through dreams and revelations.

God speaks, but people react differently; sometimes they do not hear God speaking, or are too busy to pay attention. Other times, they doubt what they hear or understand it from human point of view. People react to the word of God by either accepting and acting on it (leading to faith, growth and transformation) or rejecting it, often due to lack of root, offense at hardship, or resistance, causing them to fall away. The ideal response, as taught in the scripture, is to and keep (obey/internalise) it, which brings blessings, guidance, peace and intimacy with God.

People Reaction Is Based On The Following:
Cultural Context: Morals are interpreted differently across societies; what sparks outrage in one culture may be accepted in another.

Individual Personality: People high in empathy or openness tend to embrace moral lessons more readily, while those high in rigidity may resist.

Social Influence: Reactions are amplified when morals are shared in public spaces (e.g., social media), where outrage or agreement spreads quickly.

In Ezekiel, Chapter 2, the Prophet was sent to the house of Israel, but the people were rebellious. They followed after the rebellious path of their fathers; they transgressed God’s word even to the time of God’s warning. They were impudent, and stiff-hearted; even before the prophet could reach them, God warned him: ‘they will not hear.’ Still in that Ezekiel 2:7; God told the Prophet that whether they will hear or not that He should just tell them, but he should never be like them. Till today, people are still rebellious.

Reading through the Gospel as recorded by Matthew, Chapter 10:1-22, Jesus in verse 6 sent His disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. In verses 11-15, we discovered that not everyone will accept God’s message from the Disciples, even though it was the solution to their problems. They are even going to meet wolves and will be hated.

The Reason People Resist God’s Word
People resist the Word of God due to inner struggles like pride, unbelief and selfish desires, as well as external influences such as worldly distractions, temptation and spiritual opposition. This brings us to two main reasons people are resistance to the word of God, which is able to save and to make any man wise. The Internal and external factors are:
1.Internal factors: this is rooted in the heart and mind as barriers.

• Pride and Self-reliance: Many resists because they believe they do not need God. They rely on their own wisdom and strength.

• Unbelief and Doubt: Skeptical about God’s existence or promises lead to rejection of His word.

• Nature: The Bible describes the human heart as deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), making people naturally resistant to divine authority.

• Fear of Change: Accepting God’s word often requires transformation, which can be threatening to personal comfort or lifestyle.

2. External Influences
Temptation: The lure of sin and worldly pleasures can make people deaf to God’s voice.
•Negative Voices: Influences from culture, peers or media may discourage obedience to God.

• Satanic Opposition: Scripture highlights the enemy’s role in blinding the human minds and sowing lies that looks like the truth making them outright rebels to the truth.

•Challenges of Life: Activities, sometimes the very good activities could make someone believe a lie. Because they are busy, they excuse the in struggle, which limits deeper walk with God; people may be doing good work, but not walking with God. Others include: materialism, and pursuit of success, which can distract someone from setting spiritual priorities right.

• The Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is Rector, The Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor(08035413812)