Hardness of Heart

Main Idea:
The lecture addresses the danger of hardness of heart as a major obstacle in spiritual life, as a harsh person cannot be in the image of God who is characterized by mercy and kindness. It confirms that harshness contradicts love, which is the primary virtue in Christian life.

Nature of Hardness of Heart:
The harsh heart lacks mercy, compassion, and gentleness, and this appears in daily dealings whether in actions, words, or judgments. Harshness may be directed toward God by عدم responding to Him, or toward people through سوء treatment.

Manifestations of Harshness:
Harshness includes torture, hurtful speech, quick judgment, defamation, عدم forgiveness, violent anger, and issuing harsh judgments without understanding circumstances. It also appears in ظلم and عدم concession and strictness in dealing.

Causes of Hardness of Heart:
Harshness may be due to personal nature, surrounding environment, wrong upbringing, psychological complexes, or the influence of sin and desires such as jealousy and envy. Pride and habitual harshness also reinforce it.

Treatment of Hardness of Heart:
Harshness can be treated by contemplating the merciful attributes of God, reading the lives of saints, associating with kind people, and avoiding causes of harshness. Inner spaciousness and calmness in dealing also help overcome it.

Spiritual Dimension:
Harshness toward God is the most dangerous kind, as a person rejects the work of grace in his life. Therefore, the teaching calls for opening the heart to God and responding to Him, so that a person may receive a merciful heart like God’s heart.

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