His Holiness Pope Shenouda speaks in this lecture about the sin of hardness (cruelty) and its signs and how it is one of the well-known sins that some may not feel present in themselves but it appears in many forms.

Definition of hardness and its forms

He explains that there is hardness against God measured by refusing repentance and refusing the voice of God, and there is hardness against people that appears in harsh treatment, injustice, mockery, and revenge.

Biblical and historical examples

The Pope cites verses such as Hebrews, Romans, and Ezekiel, and mentions examples from the Holy Scripture like the heart of Pharaoh and the heart of Cain and the stories of Naboth and Ahab to show the consequences of hardness.

Causes of hardness

He explains that hardness arises from several causes: jealousy, love of possession and self, greed, sinful lusts, a bad environment, and sometimes a savage temperament.

Manifestations of hardness in relationships and behavior

He addresses hardness in the family (such as harshness between mothers-in-law and spouses), at work, in mockery and slander, and in neglect and lack of care for the needy, and he notes that anger and revenge are clear forms of hardness.

Christ’s stance toward hardness and sinners

He clarifies that Christ was firm toward hardness and merciful toward sinners, citing the stories of the sinful woman and Zacchaeus and the tax collectors, and how Christ defended sinners and rebuked the hard-hearted.

How to confront hardness

He emphasizes that the remedy is repentance and opening the hearts, and that mercy and meekness are fruits of the Spirit, and that admonishing others should be done gently and lovingly, not with hardness, so they may accept correction.

Spiritual conclusion

He warns that whoever kills mercy in his heart risks being judged by the same measure he uses, and he calls for mercy and compassion and for softening hearts through grace and prayer.

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