Biblical Signs Of A Hard Heart
Biblical signs of a hard heart. The Bible describes a hard heart as one that rejects God’s word and is blind to his truth. Isaiah 6:9-10 presents signs that indicate it.
Biblical signs of a hard heart. It is blind to and resists truth.
Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. (ESV, Isaiah 6:9)
I enjoy watching sports on TV. But run for snacks during commercial breaks to skip all the promotional messages. And many people approach the Bible’s message with the same indifference. Good for you if Christianity floats your boat, but leave me out. However, a hard heart goes beyond indifference. It’s a complete rejection of God’s word. The confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh in Exodus is a good example.
And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. (ESV, Exodus 4:7)
Despite all the miracles Moses performed, Pharaoh had his mind made up and refused to let the Israelites go. And people today have their minds made up too. They reject the idea of following rules, giving up control, and want complete freedom to live as they please. In short, the Bible cramps their lifestyle. Ironically, a life with no moral restraints leads to oppression while Jesus Christ sets you free.
Biblical signs of a hard heart. It is not about intellect but about the heart.
Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes. (ESV, Isaiah 6:10a)
Some people reject the Bible based on intellect. It’s simply a make-believe fantasy that doesn’t fool intelligent people. However, the Bible is not meant to be proven, but accepted on faith. And this is not a matter of intellect, but the heart. This too, is often culturally misunderstood.
The Bible views the heart to include our mind, will, conscience, and spirit. It’s the center of our desires, thinking, choosing, and believing. The “dull heart” in this verse is spiritually sluggish, insensitive, and slow to perceive. What we call desensitized. The social acclimation to moral decline. What was once, morally unacceptable in the culture slowly becomes an accepted norm.
For example, profanity was rarely expressed in political discourse a few years ago. Now it’s the new cool people seem eager to join. But it’s a slow fade that leads us away from the righteousness and holiness that God desires.
The word for “heavy” means to make stubborn. And to “hear with their ears” means to be attentive. Therefore, a hard heart doesn’t reject God because someone is too smart. But too proud.
Biblical signs of a hard heart. The opposite of a hard heart is humble repentance.
Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. (ESV, Isaiah 6:10b)
The opposite of pride is humility, which fosters a receptive heart. The Apostle Paul describes it this way.
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (ESV, Ephesians 1:18)
Seeing with our hearts involves spiritual self-awareness. It recognizes that our sin separates us from God. And this leads to confession and repentance, which Isaiah calls a “turn”–meaning a turn away from sin to God. And the forgiveness of Jesus Christ brings spiritual healing and a restored relationship with God.
But the greatest tragedy of a hard heart is missing the opportunity to experience God’s amazing grace and gift of eternal life.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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