Heart Conditions: Hard Hearts
When He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
Mark 3:5 (NKJV)
Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
Mark 6:51-52 (NKJV)
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:14-15 (NKJV)
A common predictor of heart disease is a “hardening of heart arteries.” The Bible calls it 'Hardness of the heart.' Hard-hearted people have reduced flows of faith, joy, justice, mercy, and compassion.
Sometimes, a total blockage can occur!
Warning signs and early symptoms include: pride, coldness, selfishness, indifference, unforgiveness, hatred, and stiffened necks. Left untreated, this stony condition leads to suffering, misery, and death.
ALERT: Hard hearts are contagious (for anyone not protected by Christ)!
The largest predictors of this disease are lifestyle choices: specifically, our voluntary separation from the Creator and the purifying Blood of His Son.
The promoter of destructive lifestyles is Satan, earth’s most successful con man. By all means, especially media, the father of lies calls out to the lost… and distracts the found.
Nevertheless, God provides a free Map (a.k.a. the Bible) to the Healer (a.k.a. The Cross).
Once a good connection is established, total heart regeneration begins. Through a divine multiplication plan (fueled by a limitless supply of love), the Blood of Christ revives all hopeful hearts.
This regeneration service is free, but recipients of His Blood must enter His Transfusion Program… by faith. The first step is a deep plunge called Baptism. Next comes the infusion of His Spirit…and praise be to God, a new heart is born!
'I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh' (Ezekiel 36:26).
Heart Conditions: Hard Hearts (Part 7)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.