The dangers of a hardened heart affect our earthly life and our eternity. I don’t think anyone wakes up one day and says, “I want to have a hardened heart.” Like erosion, our hearts become hardened one day at a time, and we don’t realize how far we have drifted away from the Lord.
I remember a woman who belonged to our church who always had a tough look on her face. Then, one day, she asked Jesus to come into her heart, and her face softened in appearance. When Jesus comes into our hearts after we have confessed our sins and come to faith, He softens our hearts. People can be members of the church all their lives and not have a relationship with the Lord. They may know about the Lord but are far from Him in their hearts.
Hardened hearts Reject the Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit continually works around us, but we have free will to say no to God. Romans 8:14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.[1] When the Holy Spirit leads us, it speaks of a pliable heart that wants to follow the Lord. Jesus also tells us in John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [2]
When we harden our hearts, we are listening to our enemy satan, who wants to destroy us. Satan also works to blind people so their hearts remain hard. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. [3] These Bible verses tell us that we are in a tremendous spiritual battle and need God’s help.
The Religious Leaders Were Spiritually Blind
Jesus told the religious leaders a parable about a vineyard that wicked farmers tended. In their greed, they killed the owners’ servants sent to collect the rent. The owner eventually sent his son, thinking they would respect him, but they killed him, too. As Jesus told them the parable, the religious leaders realized they are the wicked farmers. After Jesus was done speaking, they had a choice to make, but they chose to harden their hearts. Matthew 21:46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet. [4]
When Jesus was crucified on the cross a few days after this encounter with the religious leaders, two thieves were crucified with him. As the thieves hung on the cross, both started with hardened hearts, but something happened to one thief, and he repented. His heart softened; this is good news because our heart does not have to remain hard. We can turn from our sins and turn to God! Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. [5] To learn more about the dangers of a hardened heart, listen here:
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.