How can we guard against hardening our hearts like Pharaoh in Exodus 7:13? Key Verse Exodus 7:13: “Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.” Why Pharaoh’s Example Is a Warning • God’s repeated signs proved His sovereignty, yet Pharaoh chose defiance. • A hard heart resists the plain truth of God’s Word, even when that truth is confirmed by unmistakable evidence. • Scripture’s historical accuracy shows that hardening is not an abstract idea; it is a real spiritual danger. Symptoms of a Hardening Heart • Diminishing awe of God’s power (Romans 1:21). • Selective hearing—only accepting parts of Scripture that suit personal desires (2 Timothy 4:3). • Chronic disobedience in “small” matters (Luke 16:10). • Justifying sin rather than confessing it (Proverbs 28:13). • Growing indifference to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Guardrails for Keeping a Tender Heart • Respond promptly when God’s Word convicts (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Cultivate reverent fear of the Lord—“Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble” (Proverbs 28:14). • Practice daily self-examination in light of Scripture (Psalm 139:23-24). • Stay accountable within a Christ-centered community (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Keep short accounts with God—regular confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). • Remember past mercies; gratitude softens the heart (Psalm 103:2). • Embrace humility, recognizing God resists the proud (James 4:6). • Ask for the Spirit’s ongoing renewal—“I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Scriptures That Soften Live It Out Today • Set aside unhurried time with the Lord each morning, letting His Word search you. • When Scripture challenges a cherished habit, choose immediate obedience. • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness; retelling His works keeps hearts warm. • Serve others regularly—acts of love guard against self-centered callousness. • End each day recounting ways you saw God at work, thanking Him aloud. Soft hearts remain sensitive to God’s voice, receptive to His leading, and quick to repent. Pharaoh’s tragedy stands as a living caution: hear, believe, and obey while the Lord is speaking—before the heart has time to calcify. |
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