“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Yesterday we examined the path that has been trampled hard—it symbolizes a hardened heart. Because of unconfessed sin, neglect of spiritual discipline, or inner disappointment, the seed of God’s word is unable to take root within us. Unfortunately, none of us is exempt from this condition.

Every human heart, to some extent, is heavy and hardened. Therefore, we must honestly ask ourselves: in what areas of my life am I closed off to God?

One common expression of this hardness of heart is “stubbornness.” We often cling to the idea that “I must be right,” unwilling to accept others’ opinions or consider new perspectives, even going to great lengths to prove ourselves right. The same stubbornness appears in our relationship with God.

If we do not believe that God’s ways are far higher than our ways, we will not submit to Him. If we refuse to bend our knees and surrender before God, then no one can change our hardened hearts—not even God Himself.

Even Jesus’ own disciples sometimes showed this kind of hardness of heart. When they were preoccupied with daily concerns, their hearts became dull. Jesus asked them bluntly: “Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” (Mark 8:17–18).

The problem is not merely ignorance, but resistance of the will. St. Thomas Aquinas explains that a hardened heart is one that will not melt under the heat of divine words nor break under their blows. The word of Christ should be like fire and like a hammer, yet we often remain unmoved because we have not truly acknowledged God as the ultimate authority in our lives.

Do we truly possess a “fear of the Lord”? Moses, before the burning bush, removed his sandals and veiled his face, acknowledging his smallness before God’s holiness. Isaiah cried out in reverence, confessing that his lips were unclean.

This holy fear is not terror, but a deep reverence and awareness that God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. When we have this fear, we become ready to listen and to follow.

Without it, we remain stubborn and convinced of our own rightness, and the evil one easily snatches away the word before it can take root.

Therefore, the way to heal this hardness of heart—this stubbornness and self-righteousness—is not by relying on our own strength or simply trying harder. Conversion is first and foremost the work of God’s grace; it is God who turns our hearts back to Him.

God Himself promises: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you.” (Ezekiel 36:26–27).

St. Augustine teaches that God works in the hearts of men to incline their wills wherever He pleases. He is able to convert even opposing wills and to take away the heart’s hardness.

This is why the psalmist pleads: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” (Psalm 51:12).

St. Paul also urges us: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).

These are not mere suggestions, but the path by which we become new creations in Christ.

In practical terms, we can begin with prayer, bringing our stubbornness before God and acknowledging the areas where we insist on our own way.

We ask the Lord to use the hammer of His word to break the hardness within our hearts. We choose to listen to others with humility, remembering that true growth begins only when we no longer assume we are always right.

Most importantly, we open ourselves daily to God’s grace, inviting Him to place His Spirit within us so that we may follow His will.

When we allow God to complete this deep work within us, our hearts will soften. What was once hardened and closed will become fertile soil, ready to receive the seed of the Kingdom. The grace that removes our heart of stone will also grant us the strength to begin anew. Let us not resist God’s gentle yet powerful hand, for He desires to make us new.

Let us, with hearts of reverence and surrender, once again listen attentively to God’s word:

“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Reflection

In what areas of my life does my stubbornness show itself, even when God invites me to change, yet I still insist that I am right?

Do I truly recognize God as the highest authority in my life, or do I still place my own thoughts above His Word?

Am I ready today to ask for the grace of conversion, allowing God’s Word to work upon my hardened heart like a hammer?

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I admit that my heart is often stubborn and hardened. When Your voice challenges my thinking, I resist You. Today, I bring before You every area where I refuse to surrender.

Grant me a new heart and a new spirit. Remove my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. Grant me the grace of holy fear so that I may recognize You as the true Lord of my life.

May Your Word strike my soul like a hammer and transform me through the renewal of my mind. I no longer wish to remain closed; I desire to surrender to Your loving work of conversion.

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