Is your heart hardened? Would you even know if it was? Is there a way to fix it?
I at times have absolutely zero sympathy for people. For example, there is a person who gave tattoos out of their house and now people are having all kinds of problems ranging from infections to Hepatitis C. I was this person to be injected with every needle they have used on others and then just watch them whither away from infection and disease. However, is that what God really wants for me and them?
According to Mark 12:31, we are to love our neighbor as our self. If I love myself and want to go to Heaven, then do I really want this person to suffer? The answer should be no, but my answer is yes.
I know we wrestle not against flesh and blood according to Ephesians 6:12, but these people made a choice that has affected so many around them. I want them to suffer more so than their victims, but that is not love.
Love would say yes they should be punished, but it would also want them to repent and to seek forgiveness from God and to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. However, lets be honest, it is hard to want this kind of love for a person that has caused so much damage.
I believe that my hear is hardened towards certain things that man does:
- I do not like greed.
- I do not like it when people do not take responsibility for their actions.
- I do not like it when people intentionally inflict harm/pain on others.
- I believe that there should be order, not chaos.
- I believe that we are all equal.
- I do not like it when people think they are entitled just because.
Is my hear hardened? I think so with regards to somethings, but is there a way to tell?
This comes from https://bacc.cc/5-ways-to-tell-if-you-have-a-hard-heart/:
- You don’t fell like talking to anyone.
- Everyone’s advice seems bad to you.
- You’re unable to love anyone.
- You can’t get happy for anyone’s success except your own.
- You don’t feel anything about the stuff you should.
If I accept this as the definitive way to tell if my heart is hardened, then I would say it is not, but are these the only ways. The answer is no.
Sin alone causes the heart to grow hard. This is especially true for unrepentant sin where we do not confess that we have sinned. However, what else could cause our hearts to grow hard: pride, setbacks, and disappointments.
We as Christians have to be careful for anyone’s heart can be hardened.
Mark 8:17-19 New International Version (NIV)
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
Can a hardened heart be cured? Thankfully the answer is yes, but we must seek the Lord and recognize that our hear has been hardened and that we are disobedient to God’s will. In other words we must repent. It will not be an easy path, but with prayer and time, God will heal your heart.
Do you want your heart healed? If no, then go on your merry way, but if yes, then seek the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. I must admit that at times I want to take justice into my own hands, but that is for another day.
I pray that if you think your hear is hardened, that you are able to recognize this and to seek the Lord to heal your heart. If you do not want to be healed, that is fine as well, but understand that their are consequences for your actions.