How can we avoid having hearts that have "grown callous" like in Acts 28:27? The Danger of a Calloused Heart “‘For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Acts 28:27) • A calloused heart resists God’s voice, blocks spiritual sight and hearing, and forfeits healing and refreshment. • Scripture presents heart-hardening as a gradual process; prevention requires steady vigilance. Regularly Receive the Word • Hebrews 3:7-8—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • James 1:21—“Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.” Practical steps: – Set aside daily time for unhurried Bible reading. – Memorize and meditate on key passages to keep truth alive within. Repent Quickly and Completely • 1 John 1:9—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Hebrews 3:13—“Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Repentance keeps the conscience soft and responsive; lingering sin layers spiritual calluses. Cultivate Listening Ears • Mark 4:24—“Pay attention to what you hear,” for the measure of attention given governs understanding received. • Proverbs 4:20-23—“My son, attend to my words… Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Ways to listen: – Silence competing voices; reduce noise and distraction. – Approach Scripture with expectancy, ready to obey. Stay Tender Through Worship and Thanksgiving • Psalm 95:1-8 moves from joyful praise to the warning, “Do not harden your hearts.” • Gratitude keeps the soul supple; grumbling stiffens it. Practice: – Begin each day recounting specific blessings. – Use worship music to align affections with truth. Walk in Obedience • John 14:21—“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” Obedience reinforces sensitivity; repeated disobedience dulls it. Steps: – Act promptly on convictions, even small ones. – Treat every directive of Scripture as loving and wise. Keep Fellowship with Believers • Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to meet together, “encouraging one another.” Fellowship supplies accountability, shared insight, and mutual warmth that prevents coldness of heart. Guard Against Spiritual Pride • 1 Corinthians 10:12—“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Humility invites grace; pride thickens spiritual skin. Choose: – Regular self-examination under the Spirit’s light. – Acknowledgment of dependence on Christ for every victory. Depend on the Spirit for a New Heart • Ezekiel 36:26—“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” • Galatians 5:16—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Daily reliance on the Holy Spirit supplies the soft, responsive heart God promises and sustains. |
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