by Marilyn Conrad

Guarding Against A Hardened Heart

We must make sure that we understand what is meant by a “hardened heart.” Webster’s dictionary tells us that the word hardness means things like, “state of being hard” and “resistance of metal to indentation.” The word for hardness used in scripture means “callous, stiff, blind, stony.” Hardness of heart is related more easily to the natural realm than to the supernatural realm. However, we are not referring to the organ in our body, but to the core, or soul, of our inner man.

Every time we know the right thing to do but don't do it, we harden our hearts. We must be careful not to judge our mate for the divorce or marital problems we are facing. Divorce is a result of hardness of heart (Matthew 19:8 and Mark 10:5). When we judge others we sow seeds that create a harvest for us in the same area. (Matthew 7:1-5)

Hardness of heart is the cause of divorce. In Mark 10:2-9 Jesus tells the Pharisees (and us) that Moses permitted divorce, “For the hardness of your heart.” He went on to remind us of God’s best plan, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” God clearly states that divorce is not His plan. But man, because of hardness of heart, tears apart the very one flesh relationship that God has established as a picture for the oneness of Jesus with His bride the church (Ephesians 5:22-32).

When you harden your heart, you miss out on God's blessings of prosperity and protection. Hebrews 3:7-19 shows the Israelites did not enter their Promised (covenant) Land because of hard hearts. Their covenant land is sometimes called “Beulah Land”; the word Beulah means “married” (Isaiah 62:4). Entering the Promised Land is a direct analogy and application of scripture for those of us who are trusting God to restore our marriages.

When your heart is hardened toward God, you have cut yourself off from your source of love and your relationships with others suffer. The early church suffered divisions as a result of not perceiving the Word and having hardened hearts. Hardened hearts among believers have continued to cause divisions in the Body of Christ though the centuries.

Fruit of a Hardened Heart

1) Hardness of heart is not perceiving, not understanding, and not applying what the Word of God tells you. What does Ephesians 4:18 tell us is the consequence of a hardened heart?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2) Not doing what you know is right to do causes hardness of heart. According to James 4:17, what is sin?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3) A hardened heart results in a harder life. Proverbs 28:14 contrasts fear of God with a hardened heart. Write the verse out.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

4) A hardened heart blocks reconciliation and increases disunity. What was the result when some rejected God’s Word given through Paul, in Acts 19:9?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Read Hebrews 3:7-19. What was the end result of the Israelites’ hardened hearts?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

 Click here for more help with standing by Marilyn Phillipps

Click here to go to Charlene Cares, Rejoice Ministries