In Acts 28:26-27, Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah, saying, “You will be ever hearing but never

understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has

become calloused.” This sobering statement reveals the tragic outcome of repeatedly rejecting

God’s message: the hardening of the heart.

A hardened heart is not something that happens overnight. It develops over time, through

consistent resistance to God’s truth. The people Paul was speaking to had heard the Scriptures,

seen the work of God, and even witnessed the life and ministry of Jesus. Yet, many still refused

to believe. As a result, their hearts became calloused—dull and unresponsive to God’s voice.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are there areas where we have

become resistant to God’s leading, or to truth itself? Have we heard His Word but chosen not to

respond? Every time we ignore God’s prompting, our hearts grow a little harder, making it more

difficult to hear Him the next time.

But there is hope. Scripture tells us that God desires to give us hearts that are soft and

receptive to His voice. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “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.” This is

the work of God’s grace—He can soften even the hardest heart, thus enabling us to turn to Him

by faith in His Son.

If you sense that your heart has grown calloused in any way, don’t wait. Turn to God now,

asking Him to renew and soften your heart. He is faithful to respond to those who seek Him with

sincerity. The same Spirit that convicts us of sin is the one who can bring healing and

restoration to our hearts.

At the same time, let this be a reminder to us when we share the gospel with others. Some may

resist or reject the message, and their hearts may appear hardened. But God is still able to

break through that hardness. Our job is to continue praying, sharing, and trusting that God can

do the impossible.

Let us remain vigilant in guarding our hearts against becoming calloused and pray for others

who may be hardened toward the gospel. God is able to soften even the most resistant heart,

drawing them into His grace and truth.

May we, by God’s grace, cultivate soft hearts that respond to His voice, and may we trust Him to

do the same in the lives of those we love.

By Jim Connell



Jim is the founder of Lexington Rescue Mission, and authors JesusIsLordBlog.com,

FaithAnswersPress.net, and FAQs of Faith (a mobile app)