Hardened Heart

When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. (Exodus 9:34 NIV).

While we live on grace, anyone can become hard-hearted. Even people who know God can occasionally become hard-hearted, even people who know God. A hardened heart happens when God delivers you from something, you receive the blessing, and then you move on—until there is another emergency. Friends, do not become hard-hearted because God is not a heavenly paramedic or your heavenly Jeannie. He is your Heavenly Father, and He desires that you have an everyday relationship with Him.

Religion can camouflage a hardened heart by limiting your perception of God. Religion can cause you to become self-righteous. It can cause you to believe you are deserving of God’s blessing. It will make you think God owes you something because of your church attendance and good works.

Do Not Be Heart-Challenged

Today, we would call a person with a hardened heart heart-challenged. When you have a hardened heart, you miss the point of being a Christian. Christians are disciples and followers of Jesus. When you add something to Jesus, the outcome changes. Jesus plus works, Jesus plus service, or Jesus plus your outstanding reputation leads to self-righteousness.

The Bible says, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-26). The Bible also says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16). Friends, do not become heart-challenged. Add faith to your works and work to your faith. Work, service, and reputation are essential for a prosperous Christian life. But your priority should always be to know God better and to follow Jesus wherever He leads you.

Dear God, do not let me develop a hardened heart. Keep my heart tender toward You. and help me to know You better. Without You, I can do nothing. Forgive my vanity and give me a heart of flesh.