“And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said unto the man, stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other” – Mark 3:5 (KJV).
Here, we see the case of the Pharisees whose hearts were hardened to the gospel of Christ. They have witnessed Jesus perform so many incredible miracles enough to melt any heart but they had a hardened heart, often described as a heart of stone. Jesus perceived the hardness of their hearts and he was grieved. He simply ignored them and restored the withered hand. The Pharisees after watching this miracle of the restoration and healing of the withered hand went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Jesus, how they might destroy him. They felt so insecure of the fame of Jesus that he was gaining so much acceptance.
Hardness of heart could manifest in several ways:
1. Cold, insensitive heart
2. Unyielding heart
3. Anger and rage
4. Evasion of responsibility.
5. Disobedience to the revealed will of God.
6. Stubbornness or self-will
7. Feet-dragging or delayed obedience
8. Rebellion
9. Resisting the Holy Spirit
10. Compromise of the word of God.
Hardness of heart should be against the devil and his negative threats. When exercised in this way by being firm and not giving up in the face of afflictions and persecution, this is in a positive note and it’s commendable.
When the heart is hardened to God, his word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, it is highly irresponsible of the Christian. The scriptures strongly admonish Christians to yield to the word of God and to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Brokenness and meekness will enhance quick obedience to God. Word meditation and effective prayer will lead to intimacy with God that will make it very easy for Christians to find great joy in quick obedience.
A hardened heart dulls a person’s ability to perceive and understand, thus leading to spiritual retardation.
PRAYER: Lord, melt my heart to obey you and respond promptly to your will in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu