Day 100: Hardness of Heart (Bonus Lesson 14)

 Every believer is invited to experience the resurrection life of Jesus. He said in John 14:12:

 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 

But like we said in the previous lesson, ideologies and thought patterns can become walls that harden the heart. They stand between us, Jesus, and His plans for us. 

Our physical bodies are a picture of our spirits. As we have physical organs, we have spiritual organs. Hardness of heart in the Bible is similar to what is medically called a sclerosed heart. It is simply the heart's inability to expand enough to accommodate blood and perform its functions smoothly. 

When there is an increase in activity for example during exercise, the heart is expected to enlarge more than usual. It's expected to receive and give out more blood to help the body function. A hardened heart cannot do that. When severe, the heart has difficulty keeping up with the normal daily activities of the body.

Spiritually, a hard heart is a heart that is unresponsive to God's word and acts. It can be complete or partial insensitivity. Either one is injurious and detrimental to spiritual health. 

Many times when we think of hardness of heart the Bible character that comes to mind is Pharaoh who oppressed God's people. Sometimes we think of the Pharisees who did not believe in Jesus and crucified Him. Hardness of heart however is not just a state of an unbeliever's heart or a condition for people who do not love the Lord. 

In Mark 6 after Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish, He went away to pray while his disciples took a boat to the other side. As the disciples went, a terrible storm arose and they were afraid. At that moment they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. Verse 52 tells us they were amazed beyond measure because their hearts were hardened. 

It means that when we hear or see God do the impossible, we should be in awe but not surprised or doubt His acts. It's His nature to do the impossible and our hearts must continually enlarge to accommodate His words and deeds. 

In Mark 9:23 Jesus said to a man that came to Him:

 ...“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

The man replied in Mark 9:24:

 ...“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 

Isn't that contradictory?

Hebrews 3 tells us that Israel hardened their hearts and did not enter the promised land because of their unbelief. Many times Jesus chastised His disciples for having little faith. Yet, He said in Matthew 17:20 that faith as little as a mustard seed will move mountains.

Little faith in Greek means believing with not enough persuasion, and confidence. The word little however refers to not just a small quantity but also a short length of time and low quality. So, little faith also refers to faith lacking tenacity.

Unbelief on the other hand is also closely related. It means faith that is not easily persuaded. It is to doubt God's willingness, ability, or both. An example is the leper who came to Jesus in Matthew 8. He said to Jesus in verse 2 (The Passion Translation):

...“Lord, you have the power to heal me . . . if you really want to.” 

He believed Jesus could do it, but unbelief made him doubt Jesus' willingness. To doubt His willingness is to question His nature and character. Faith is a conviction of not just God's ability and power but also faithfulness. Faithfulness is a product of His person and character as a good God. 

The difference between potent-mustard-seed faith and unbelief/little faith is the level of persuasion. Faith that lacks persuasion is faith that is full of doubt. Faith that is full of doubt will not follow Jesus to the mountains and hills of challenges. 

We have been invited to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. We are to do it proving His resurrection by healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and doing the impossible by God's power through His Spirit within us. 

The Lord gives us dreams, visions, and assignments that look like hills and mountains. We sometimes face insurmountable challenges. All of these can be accomplished when our heart is healthy. When our faith is fully seepersuaded of our Triumphant King's ability and faithfulness to us, nothing will be impossible.

In the next lesson, we'll look at the causes, symptoms, and other disabilities caused by hardness of heart, and what we can do to maintain sensitivity of heart.

PRAY WITH ME:

Dear Lord, I invite you into my heart. Identify every ideology and thought pattern that may cause my heart to be insensitive towards You. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

• Are there times you've doubted God's word and acts? 
• Is there a vision or dream He has given you that you still struggle to picture?
• Read and meditate today on James 1:6-8 and Mark 9:23.