Articles
Is Your Heart Hard?
A number of times the Bible speaks of those who possess a hard heart. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, readily comes to mind (Exodus 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34-35). In spite of all the mighty acts of God (i.e., the plagues), he would harden his heart time after time and refuse to let the children of Israel go.
The Gospel of John makes mention of the Jews that did not believe in Jesus in spite of the many signs He performed, because they “hardened their hearts” (John 12:37-40). The Bible even speaks of Jesus’ disciples on occasion possessing a hard heart, and therefore failing to grasp some of the teachings and miracles of Jesus (Mark 6:52; 8:17). Christians are warned to: “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
What does it mean to have a heart that is hardened? It means that an individual stubbornly resists and/or refuses to submit his life to the will of God, and does what he wants to do. Some will even harden their heart to such an extent that they will actively oppose those who teach the truth of God’s Word (Acts 19:9).
So what about your heart? Is it hardened towards the will of God? You may be quick to deny that you possess a hard heart, but let me ask you a few questions to consider.
Are you presently in a scriptural marriage, or have you hardened your heart to God’s marriage law (Matt. 19:3-9)? Do you believe that being baptized is necessary to do in order to be saved, or have you hardened your heart to the Lord’s command (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16)? Are you faithful to assemble with the saints, or go whenever you feel like attending church services (Heb. 10:25)? Do you add instruments to your worship because you desire it, rather than simply heeding God’s command to “sing” and make “melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)? Do your practice the morals of the Bible, or just live your life the way you decide (Col. 3:1-15)?
Sadly, many sincere, religious people today harden their hearts to the will of God by worshiping, teaching and practicing exactly what they want to do (Matt. 7:21-23; 15:7-9), rather than what the Lord commands. Be honest with yourself and with God…is your heart hard?
