Topical Bible: The Heart: Harden Not, Against God

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The concept of a hardened heart against God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, serving as a warning against spiritual insensitivity and rebellion. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of human will, emotion, and intellect. A hardened heart signifies a state of resistance and disobedience to God's will and commands.

Biblical Instances of Hardened Hearts

1. Pharaoh's Heart: One of the most notable examples of a hardened heart is Pharaoh during the Exodus narrative. Despite witnessing numerous signs and wonders performed by God through Moses, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart, refusing to let the Israelites go. Exodus 7:13 states, "Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said." This hardening led to severe consequences for Pharaoh and Egypt, illustrating the dangers of resisting God's will.

2. Israel's Rebellion: The Israelites themselves are often depicted as having hardened hearts, particularly during their wilderness wanderings. Psalm 95:8 admonishes, "Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness." This reference recalls the Israelites' frequent complaints and lack of faith, despite God's continuous provision and guidance.

3. New Testament Warnings: The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to remain receptive to God's voice. Hebrews 3:15 echoes the warning from Psalms, "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" This exhortation serves as a reminder to maintain a soft and responsive heart towards God.

Causes of a Hardened Heart

1. Pride and Self-Reliance: A common cause of a hardened heart is pride, where individuals rely on their own understanding and strength rather than submitting to God's authority. Proverbs 28:14 warns, "Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."

2. Sin and Disobedience: Persistent sin and disobedience can also lead to a hardened heart. Sin creates a barrier between individuals and God, dulling spiritual sensitivity. Ephesians 4:18-19 describes those with hardened hearts as "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts."

3. Unbelief: Unbelief is another significant factor contributing to a hardened heart. When individuals refuse to trust in God's promises and power, their hearts become resistant to His truth. Mark 6:52 notes the disciples' lack of understanding and hardened hearts after witnessing the miracle of the loaves, "for they had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened."

Consequences of a Hardened Heart

1. Spiritual Blindness: A hardened heart leads to spiritual blindness, preventing individuals from perceiving and understanding God's truth. Isaiah 6:10 speaks of this condition, "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

2. Separation from God: A hardened heart results in a separation from God, as it resists His presence and guidance. Romans 2:5 warns, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."

3. Judgment and Discipline: Ultimately, a hardened heart invites God's judgment and discipline. Hebrews 3:12 cautions believers, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God."

Encouragement to Maintain a Soft Heart

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a soft and responsive heart towards God. This involves humility, repentance, and a willingness to listen to His voice. Ezekiel 36:26 offers a promise of transformation, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Believers are called to remain vigilant, ensuring their hearts remain open and obedient to God's leading.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 4:7
Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God is Able to Convert Opposing Wills, and to Take Away from the ...
... Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts ... tables of the heart." [3105]
We must not, of course ... heart, when all the while this very heart of stone ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 29 god is able to.htm

The Power of God
... For a person to go on daringly in any sin is to harden his heart against God, and
to ... Hast thou an arm like God?' Job 40:9. Such as will not bow to his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... man till the breaking of the day; let that man, that God-man, overcome ... Steel not
thine heart against it ... "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm

The Hindrances to Mourning
... Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts ... Because sentence against
an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

A Last Merciful Warning
... God hardens no man's heart who has not first ... Does not the Gospel, if rejected, harden,
making consciences and ... In fact, Pharaoh's obstinacy had not thwarted the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a last merciful warning.htm

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... in this respect, yet the hardening is not confined to ... God hardened his spirit and
made his heart obstinate, that ... For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii the hardening in the.htm

Temporary Hardening.
... heart which culminates in the sin against the Holy ... why hast Thou hardened our heart?"
Isaiah represents ... That Israel is exhorted, "Harden not your hearts as in ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiv temporary hardening.htm

Refutation of the Arguments of the Marcionites, who Attempted to ...
... and brought blindness upon Israel, that seeing they might not see, since He ... in them,
for the same reason did He harden Pharaoh's heart; in order that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxix refutation of the arguments.htm

A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... Wherefore beware, against it shut the door; If not, it will defile thee more and
more. VIII. ... IX. SIN harden can the heart against its God, Make it abuse ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a caution to stir up.htm

Sorrowful yet Always Rejoicing.
... Alum thrown into muddy water will clarify it. The grace of God thrown into a cup
of sorrow will turn it to joy ... Do not harden your heart against sorrow, but ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/sorrowful yet always rejoicing.htm