A Heart of Stone or a Heart of Flesh?
by Jarrod M. Jacobs
Twice in the book of Ezekiel, God spoke about the fact that He would take the people and remove their “stony heart” so they might have a heart of “flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). In context, the “stony” heart describes the person who has been disobedient and obstinate against God. The heart of “flesh” is the person who submits to God and follows His will. Accordingly, the one with the “stony” heart is punished, while the one with the heart of “flesh” is blessed. Usually, when we speak about “flesh” in the Bible, it is contrasted with the “spirit,” and thus, the “flesh” is considered sinful. In this context, having a heart of “flesh” is what God desires and what man should desire.
While the terms “stony” and “flesh,” when referring to the heart, were only used in Ezekiel, we know that in other parts of the Bible, we read about people with “hardened” hearts. Sometimes, we read about “slow” hearts (Luke 24:25). There are also statements about hearts that have “waxed gross” (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:14-15; Acts 28:27, KJV), which describes a heart that has thickened as skin that becomes calloused (Strong’s). Other versions will use terms such as “callous,” stubborn,” “hard and insensitive,” and even “stupefied” to describe the hearts of those who have rebelled against God through the years.
I hope that the lesson is obvious for us. God does not want us to have that “stony” or “hardened” heart. Instead, we need the “soft” heart, the heart of “flesh” that is ready to listen and obey Him! Spend time in God’s book and note the differences between hard-hearted individuals and those with soft hearts. It ought to be clear why God prefers the heart of flesh to the heart of stone. Contrast the words and actions of Pharaoh with Moses in Exodus 5-12. Contrast the words and actions of Agrippa with Paul (Acts 26:26-28). Contrast Saul in his later years with David. The list goes on and on, and to this list, we could add entire nations of people! This was God’s problem with the Jews in Ezekiel’s day, for the whole nation exhibited a “stony” heart instead of a heart of “flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26).
What kind of heart do you have? If you are not sure, then you can test your heart by honestly asking how you respond to God’s Word. When God’s Word is taught, or you read it on your own, do you read things that hurt your conscience, or do you say, “I am not doing that”? Do you repent, or do you say, “That’s not what God really meant!”? Do you change your actions or justify yourself by saying you are “OK” and God understands? Perhaps it would be good to ask if any part of God’s word bothers your conscience or gives you pause as you compare your life with what God says (James 1:22-25). Has your conscience been “seared with a hot iron” after years of sin and rebellion (I Timothy 4:2)?
The beautiful thing is that the heart of stone can become flesh once more. This is what God was teaching in Ezekiel and what He teaches throughout Scripture. Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of life. When we allow God’s word to penetrate that stony, calloused heart, He can soften it. He can heal it and make it new once more! We can turn from our sin and rebellion and live forgiven and righteously. What a blessing this is!
If you have that stony heart, allow God’s word to change it today. You will not regret it.
