A Calloused Heart

Increasingly, we have met women on the sidewalks of abortion centers who acknowledge that what they carry in their womb is indeed a baby. However, their rejoinder to that truth is chilling.

“I know it’s a baby and I don’t care.”

The depth of this calloused attitude to human life is disturbing, to say the least.

The Bible often uses the image of a "calloused heart" to describe a state of emotional hardening, insensitivity, and a resistance to spiritual truth. It suggests that a calloused heart is unable to receive and respond to God's message, as it has become desensitized to the needs of others and the reality of sin.

Practical Questions to Respond to the Mom:

1. The killing of innocent human life does not concern you?

2. Is that true for all human life or only the unborn?

3. Is it true of people who could harm you in return or only for weaker, vulnerable people?

4. Is there an age at which killing a human being would begin to bother you?

5. Who do you care about?

6. Was that person of less value when he or she was in the womb?

Biblical examples and meanings of a Calloused Heart

Matthew 13:15:

Matthew 13:15 states that "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardlyhear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them This verse speaks of a people's heart becoming "hardened" or "calloused," preventing them from understanding and turning to God.

Romans 2:5:

"But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,"

This verse warns of "piling up wrath" due to a calloused heart and refusal to repent.

Ezekiel 11:19 and Ezekiel 36:26:

"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh"

These verses promise a new heart, replacing the "stony" or "calloused" heart with a heart of "flesh," which is sensitive and responsive to God.

Isaiah 6:10:

"Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn and be healed."

This verse describes God hardening the hearts of the people to prevent them from turning to Him.

Ephesians 4:19:

"They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity."

This verse describes unbelievers as "calloused," meaning they are numb and desensitized to the wrong they have done.

The consequences of a calloused heart:

Inability to understand and respond to God's message:

A calloused heart is resistant to truth and spiritual truths, making it difficult to understand God's word and to respond to His call.

Lack of compassion and empathy:

A calloused heart can lead to a lack of empathy for others, a decreased ability to feel for theirsuffering, and an indifference to injustice.

Increased wrath and judgment:

The Bible warns that a calloused heart can lead to accumulating wrath, as it refuses to repent and turn to God.

Overcoming a calloused heart:

Prayer and seeking God:

Praying for God's grace to soften the heart and seeking to delight oneself in the Lord is a key step inovercoming a calloused heart.

Self-reflection and acknowledging areas of hardening:

Identifying specific areas where the heart has become hard is important in seeking to change.

Living a life of obedience and service:

Choosing to live according to God's Word and to serve others can help to soften the heart and cultivate compassion.