What does it mean to harden the heart toward God so that he gives us up?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: What does it mean to harden the heart toward God so that he gives us up, and is there a point of no return? My friend told me the remedy is to hunger for the things of God. What does that really mean? -- I.S.
A: In the physical sense, hunger's a sign of life. Dead men need no food; they crave no water. Humans must have nourishment, or they'll starve. The Bible teaches that the soul must feed on the things of God otherwise one's heart can become hardened. This is what happened to Pharaoh long ago. He refused to listen to God's Word; he was hard-hearted, stubborn. Starving the soul is one of the most dangerous processes that can take place in a person's life. It is possible through sin to harden our hearts against God so long that we lose all desire for God. The Bible says that God's Spirit will "not strive with man forever" (Genesis 6:3).
Scripture speaks about hardening the heart: "For the hearts of the people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed" (Acts 28:27). When people continually reject Christ as Savior, God says that He gives "them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels" (Psalm 81:12).
If a person has the slightest bit of hunger for God and His righteousness, the soul can be receptive to the voice and message of Christ. Those who have no cravings for God, no longings for Christ, and no thirst for the things of the Spirit are not only dead in trespasses and sin but also insensitive to the Spirit's promptings. They are like the dead and are in danger of remaining in a state of spiritual stupor that will lead eventually to eternal death. Turn to Christ and do not delay.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
(c)2020 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
