WHAT IS A HARDENED HEART? ARE YOU LIVING WITH ONE?

To understand a hardened heart, we first need to know what is the heart? The heart is the place of our belief.

When we believed in Lord Jesus, our heart belief led us to receive His righteousness and with our mouth confessed our belief unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 Acts 16:31) It is from the heart we can believe and receive the truth of the gospel. It is from the heart we believed and received salvation through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart (place of belief) brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks,” (Luke 6:45 )

The condition of our heart is very important to God, from this place of belief springs the issues of life. Our heart belief can affect every area of our life and it can affect the lives of others around us.

King Solomon said, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life". (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

What is within our heart, will overflow in what we think, speak and do. What is in our heart, will be seen and heard.

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Matthew 15:18-19
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Mark 7:21-22
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. Ephesians 4:18-19Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Mark 6:52
For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

A HARDENED HEART

What is a hardened heart? It is a heart that is not soft, not malleable, not teachable, closed off to people and even to God due to something believed. Everyone can experience a hardened heart, believers and non believers. The heart does not need to stay hardened, as the truth comes to the person, the walls erected around the heart to protect and defend themselves will fall! Lies and deceptions of the enemy will fall! (John 8:32)

How does the heart harden? If we have experienced hurt feelings due to what someone has said or done, towards or against us, experienced betrayal, disappointment, rejection, perceived rejection, humiliation, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, felt neglected, misunderstood, persecuted, tormented, marriage separation/divorce, family division, grief, sorrow, loss of a loved one etc.. We can erect a wall around our heart to protect ourselves from ever experiencing hurt again. This wall is set up to defend ourselves from any future hurt. These walls harden our heart.

An evil of heart of unbelief can also harden the heart. Hebrews 3:7-13 Read

Those with a hardened heart will rebel against the things of God and God Himself, especially during trials. They will test and try Him and not submit to the authorities (Spiritual leadership) placed over them by God.

Hebrews 3:12
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Hebrews 3:7-11
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

Exodus 17:1
Therefore the people contended (Struggle in opposition. Strive, compete or dispute) with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt (Try. Test.) the Lord?”

Hopelessness hardens the heart.

Jeremiah 18:12
And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”

WHAT ARE THE MANIFESTIONS OF A HARDENED HEART?

A hardened heart will hinder a person from seeing, hearing and receiving from Holy Spirit, causing a dull heart (Matthew 13:15), lack the ability to perceive, understand, remember or grasp what Holy Spirit reveals, will not understand what is the will of God, not remember what God has done, miracles seen, (Mark 8:17-19) insensitivity to sin and sinfulness (Hebrews 3:12-15), this leads to a seared conscious (1 Timothy 4:1-2), then a debased mind (Romans 1:18-24). Those with a hardened heart will find themselves being disobedient to the leading of God, not obeying the Word of God, choosing what they will obey (Jeremiah 11:8) find it hard to follow Jesus and be led by the Spirit. Walking in the flesh which is opposition to walking in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:17) They will turn from the living God and turn to a form of Godliness but denying it's power (2 Timothy 3:5), to religion, works of the flesh, doctrine of man, whatever appeases their hardened heart, rather than walk in the truth, exchanging a lie for the truth. (Romans 1:25)

A hardened heart can manifest as arrogance, pride and rebellion (2 Chronicles 36:12-13), easily offended, defensive, resentful, unforgiving, unable to receive truth and the truth of the gospel, unbelief, draws away from God and not enter His rest (Hebrews 3:12) Question the things of God (Mark 2:8) Not receive from God (Zechariah 7:12)

Those with a hardened heart may feel to isolate themselves from others, stop going to church or fellowship, will start pushing people away, be defensive, won't listen to others, are unable to listen and receive instruction from those in a position of authority, have trust issues, overly independent, won't seek help, will place their affections upon an animal rather than on people, feel detached, indifferent towards others, become self absorbed, looking for ways to nurture and heal their heart through New Age practices, doing what they feel is needed to protect their heart.

They may find themselves nit-picking at how others live, finding faults, judging, condemning, slandering, gossiping, feel jealous, secretly envious, despising their success. (A root of bitterness has grown and bore fruit because the seed of hurt was received and planted within the heart and was not resolved. This causes trouble and defiles many. Hebrews 12:15)

When our hearts are hardened because of hurt experienced, we unknowingly or knowingly had erected walls around our heart to defend ourselves. The particular area of our heart we are protecting then becomes hardened, these are the areas Holy Spirit is not given the freedom to move. (God is Sovereign though, if He decides for whatever reason to bypass a hardened heart, He can and will. It is God who moves/turns the heart of man. Proverbs 21:1 But for sanctification purposes, which is a Holy Spirit ministry, our heart needs to be submitted to the Spirit of God, giving Him the freedom to move in our hearts and in our lives)

Holy Spirit needs the person to humble their hearts and lay down the offense, the hurt, the disappointment, the betrayal, whatever caused the walls they erected around their heart. If it is not laid down at the feet of Jesus in prayer and released over to Him, the enemy will bring demonic thoughts and build and establish a demonic stronghold within the mind of the person. This will then need to be dismantled by Holy Spirit as the person submits their lives to God and surrender to the leading and guidance of His Spirit as He brings truth and understanding.

The person will learn they do not need to defend themselves anymore but instead trust in the Lord with all their heart. To trust Him and lean not upon their own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) To walk by leading of the Spirit, to rest and experience the freedom they have in the Lord Jesus. (John 8:36)

Our heart needs to be surrendered to the ministrations of Holy Spirit, so God's perfect will can be done in our lives. God is the Potter (Isaiah 64:8), our hearts need to be soft as clay, not defensive, not rebelling, not trying to protect ourselves, not defensive, to trying to prove itself or validate or justify, so He can mould us to be holy as He is holy, to have a pure heart. To be all He called us to be in Him! Hallelujah!

Colossians 3:12-17 Read

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Those who believe, enter the rest of God, ceasing from their own works. (Hebrews 3:9-19)

Psalm 139:1-3O
Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.God can heal and soften our hearts.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgements and do them.

These prayers are by leading of Holy Spirit, they are powerful and anointed!

This first prayer is a self-deliverance prayer, demons will be leaving you. They may leave as a cough, burp, sigh, yawn, vomit, build up of saliva (spit it out), tears in the eyes (wipe them away), feel a weight lift from you, feel something has left, some feel nothing at all when demons leave.

Speak in the authority our Lord Jesus has given you over the realms of darkness. (Luke 10:19)

NOTE: It is optional to add your spouse, children or grandchildren in this prayer, the curses will be broken off from them if you do.

NOTE: For those who were fostered, adopted or had someone who had parental care over you for a length of time, step parents or parent-in-laws, add what is appropriate for you written in the brackets.

REPENT AND RENOUNCE ON BEHALF OF PARENTS AND ANCESTORS FOR A HARDENED HEART

“I repent and renounce on behalf of my parents and my ancestors (My foster parents/parents who adopted me/those who had parental care of me/step parents/father and mother in-law and their ancestors) for the hardness of their hearts. For doing things their way and not God's ways, for trusting in their strength and not God's, for turning from God and walking in disobedience, stubbornness, pride, having an evil heart of unbelief, turning to religion, having a form of godliness but denying it's power, for all they spoke and did towards and against themselves and towards others, including God because of a hardened heart. In Jesus name. I break every agreement they made with the realms of darkness because of the hurt they felt, for an evil heart of unbelief and the hardening of their hearts! In Jesus name! I break every curse that came upon me and my bloodline because of my parent's and ancestor's (My foster parents/parents who adopted me/those who had parental care of me/step parents/father and mother in-law and their ancestors) unbelief and hardened hearts, what they spoke and did towards themselves, others and God because of unbelief and a hardened heart. In Jesus name! Off from me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) my bloodline and all future generations! In Jesus name!

I command every demonic spirit and power that came due to the agreements my parents and ancestors (My foster parents/parents who adopted me/those who had parental care of me/step parents/father and mother in-law and their ancestors) made because of unbelief and a hardened heart, to leave me now! You will leave me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) in all your entirety! OUT! In Jesus name! I command every demonic spirit and power attached to the curses that came upon me and my bloodline due to my parents and ancestors (My foster parents/parents who adopted me/those who had parental care of me/step parents/father and mother in-law and their ancestors) unbelief and hardened hearts, what they said and did towards themselves, another person or God, to leave me now! You will leave me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) and my bloodline in all your entirety! OUT! In Jesus name!” I command every demonic spirit and power to go straight to the abyss and into it, from where you cannot return! In Jesus name!

PRAYER TO FORGIVE

Forgiveness is important to receive healing. Unforgiveness can give demons a right to stay. In obedience to the Word of God, we choose to forgive, then Lord Jesus can heal our hearts. Ask Holy Spirit to bring to your mind those whom you need to forgive, including if you need to forgive yourself or God. Speak the names of those He reveals to you.

“I choose to forgive every person and establishment (Church, ministry, workplace, government etc..) who has ever caused me to feel hurt in my lifetime, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In Jesus name. I forgive every person who has let me down, disappointed me, physically, emotionally, mentally or sexually abused me, mistreated me, abandoned me, overlooked me, disregarded me, rejected me, humiliated me, took advantage of me, tried to suppress me and hold me back, controlled and manipulated me, treated me poorly and did not respect me, who spoke against me and cursed me. In Jesus name. I forgive those who could not love me as I felt I needed and should have been loved. In Jesus name. I forgive every person and every establishment and release them into Your hands Lord Jesus.

SEVER UNGODLY SOUL TIES AND DEMONIC BONDS

This prayer ensures no demon that came in through an ungodly soul tie or demonic bond can stay. It is a self-deliverance prayer, demons will be leaving you. Demons may leave as a cough, burp, sigh, yawn, vomit, build up of saliva (spit it out), tears in the eyes (wipe them away), feel a weight lift from you, feel something has left, some feel nothing at all when demons leave. Speak in the authority our Lord Jesus has given you over the realms of darkness. (Luke 10:19)

“I sever myself from every ungodly soul tie and every demonic bond to every person and establishment I just forgave! (Speak their names) In Jesus name!” Whatever agreements I made with (speak names) not of God, I break those agreements! In Jesus name! “I command every demonic spirit and power that came through an ungodly soul tie and demonic bond from those whom I have forgiven, to leave me now! I command you to leave me in all your entirety and go straight to the abyss and into it! COME OUT! In Jesus name!

PRAYER FROM HAVING A HARDENED HEART IN YOUR LIFETIME

This is a self-deliverance prayer, demons will be leaving you. They may leave as a cough, burp, sigh, yawn, vomit, build up of saliva (spit it out), tears in the eyes (wipe them away), feel a weight lift from you, feel something has left, some feel nothing at all when demons leave. Speak in the authority our Lord Jesus has given you over the realms of darkness. (Luke 10:19)

"I repent and renounce an evil heart of unbelief, from drawing away from God and the things of God, for not obeying Him and His Word or the leading of His Spirit. In Jesus name. I repent and renounce of trying to defend myself and doing things my way, for trusting in my strength, trying to protect myself. In Jesus name. I repent and renounce all pride, stubbornness, bitterness and unforgiveness, for seeking revenge and retaliation, for spitefulness, for every bad thought and intentions in my heart towards and against those who had hurt me in some way. In Jesus name. I repent and renounce of having a hardened heart. In Jesus name. I repent for causing someone hurt because of the hurt I felt, from having a heart of unbelief and a hardened heart. In Jesus name. I repent for contemplating sin in my heart due to the hurt I felt, having unbelief and a hardened heart towards or against myself, another person or God. In Jesus name. I renounce every demonic spirit and power that came because of the hurt I felt, for having unbelief and a hardened heart and renounce your works! I cancel your works against me and break you assignments! In Jesus name! I break every agreement I made with the realms of darkness because of unbelief and a hardened heart. In Jesus name. I break every agreement I made with the realms of darkness because of the hurt I felt by a person or an establishment. In Jesus name. I break every agreement I made with the realms of darkness when a stronghold formed in my mind due to feeling hurt, having unbelief and a hardened heart. In Jesus name. I break every curse that came upon me and my bloodline in my lifetime due to being hurt, from having unbelief and a hardened heart and from whatever I said or did towards or against myself, another person or God because of the hurt, unbelief and hardened heart! In Jesus name! Off from me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren) my bloodline and all future generations! In Jesus name!

I command every demonic spirit and power that came in my lifetime because of my agreements with the realms of darkness whenever I was hurt, for having unbelief and a hardened heart to leave me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) in all your entirety! OUT! In Jesus name! I command every demonic spirit and power that came in my lifetime because of my agreements with the realms of darkness that enabled a stronghold to form in my mind due to being hurt, having unbelief and a hardened heart, to leave me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) in all your entirety! OUT! In Jesus name! I command every demonic spirit and power attached to a curse that came upon me and my bloodline in my life due to the hurt I felt, from having unbelief and a hardened heart, when I contemplated sin in my heart and what I said or did towards or against myself, another person or God to leave me (My wife/husband/children/grandchildren etc..) and my bloodline in all your entirety! OUT! In Jesus name!

Lord Jesus, I lay my heart down to You. You have seen every hurt, every disappointment, offense, betrayal, neglect, being overlooked, misunderstood, persecuted, treated unfairly, used, taken advantage of, treated poorly, every physical, mental, sexual, emotional abuse, rejected, abandoned, being controlled and manipulated, suppressed and held back, let down, my feelings being hurt again and again and not being loved. I lay it all down at Your feet, take it from me! I have chosen to forgive every person and every establishment that has ever hurt me. I have released them into Your hands. I don't want to protect myself anymore, You are my Protector. I don't want to defend myself anymore, You are my Defender. I don't want to trust in myself anymore, I choose to trust You with all my heart and lean not upon my own understanding. I don't want to do things my way and in my strength, I want to do all things God's ways, in the power of His might, led by His Spirit! Please reveal Your  truth to me. I choose to have a heart that believes and trusts You. Help me to receive Your unconditional love, to love myself and to love others. Please soften every area of my heart where I erected walls to defend and protect myself. Create in me a clean and pure heart. In Your glorious name I pray. Amen.

Holy Spirit, I give You permission and the freedom to minister to my heart. I don't want the walls I erected to defend and protect myself from being hurt again cause my heart to remain hard. Soften my heart and set me free! I don't want the strongholds to remain because of being hurt, having unbelief and a hardened heart, please dismantle them Holy Spirit, reveal the truth and set me free! Have Your way Holy Spirit! In my heart and in my life! I yield all to You”

Ask Holy Spirit to fill you fresh to overflow. Wait a moment as He fills you fresh, some can feel His presence as He does this, some don't, in faith receive it from Him.

"Holy Spirit, please fill me fresh to overflow. Thank You Holy Spirit."

Well done! God bless you!