His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks in this lecture about the sin of hardness (cruelty), clarifying that it is one of the well-known sins that some may not acknowledge but it appears in many forms in people’s and society’s lives.

The main idea of the lecture
The speaker deals with the meaning of hardness and its forms: hardness against God (refusal of repentance, rejecting God’s voice, and rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit) and hardness against people (harsh treatment, envy, greed, possessiveness, injustice, revenge, torture, humiliation, and neglect). He explains biblical and historical examples that show how hardness appears and its negative effect on the soul and society.

Causes and circumstances
The speaker shows that hardness may arise from internal causes (fiery temperament, lust, greed, desire for control, envy) or from a bad and corrupt environment and social habit, and it may be a mixture of psychological, environmental and social factors.

Results and effects
Hardness leads to violence, murder, injustice and the loss of others, and it destroys family and social relationships and distances the heart from the love of God and mercy. It also shows that the hardened heart rejects advice and prevents reconciliation with the Lord.

The Christian approach and the spiritual alternative
The lecture presents Christ’s position who was compassionate toward sinners and firm toward hardness: compassion and mercy are the way to salvation and reform, while hardness yields painful consequences. The speaker also emphasizes the fruits of the Spirit (meekness and kindness) as a cure for hardness.

Practical and spiritual advice
He calls that advice be given with gentleness and love not with hurtful rebuke, and that family relationships and spiritual leadership be built on mercy and care, and that we avoid mockery, accusation and injustice, and show practical care for the needy instead of neglect.

Educational and faith-based summary
Hardness is a serious sin that needs repentance and spiritual work; the good merciful heart is formable while the hardened heart refuses reform. The believer must seek mercy and show it to others because by the measure of mercy he will also be measured.

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