The New Testament uses the word 'heart' in reference to ... the center of knowledge, understanding, thinking, and wisdom. It is considered to be the seat of the mind and will.
The primary reason why non-Christians remain in a state of unbelief is that their understanding is darkened. They are excluded from a life with God because of their ignorance. Why are they ignorant? ... 'Because of the hardness of their hearts'.
They are 'callous' toward the revealed truth found in Jesus Christ.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew 13:14-15
The 'pride of life' prevents them from acknowledging their need for a Savior. The invitation to receive Christ is offered until a man draws his last breath ... then it is too late. The calloused heart prevents the 'brokenness' that drives a sinner to his knees in repentance.
Pritchard - It is only when a man comes to the end of himself that he is ready to think about Jesus Christ. But when that moment of emptiness comes, when he finally faces the "God-shaped vacuum" inside, when he discovers that disobedience only leads to pain when he reaps the bitter harvest of his own sin, then and only then has he become a candidate for the grace of God! Unfortunately, some people never figure it out in time. They die without realizing the folly of their own behavior.
Paul warned his listeners to reject the life exhibited by those who walk in darkness ...
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19
Know this ... that if we neglect the study of God's Word, the intimacy we attain through prayer, and the Holy Spirit's influence in our life; our heart will drift from where it was once anchored.
For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, Psalm 95:7-8
May you remain pliable in His hand.
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