DCLM Daily Manna 6 July 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Hardened Heart

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TOPIC: Hardened Heart (DCLM Daily Manna 6 July 2021)

TEXT: Mark 8:10-21

10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

KEY VERSE: “And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?” – (Mark 8:17)

MESSAGE:

Charles G. Finney defined hardness of heart as “the committal of the will to a false position; a stubbornness with regard to the claims of God; an attitude of disobedience and self-will.” Hardness of heart manifests itself in many ways including unbelief, spiritual blindness, self-management and lack of right perception.

Also Read: OPEN HEAVEN 6 JULY 2021 – PRAYERS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

As Jesus proceeded in His journey to save humanity from sin, the Pharisees asked Him for a sign from heaven so as to authenticate His claim of being the Messiah. Their intent was not that they actually needed the sign but it was to tempt Him. Jesus, knowing their motive, would not give them any sign but charged the disciples to beware of the deceitful antics of the Pharisees and Herod. Unfortunately, the disciples themselves could neither discern these antics nor understand that Jesus had the power to meet their present need as He did previously. For this, the Lord rebuked them for their faithlessness and hardness of heart.

Many profess to be Christians today yet remain hardened in unbelief and doubt. They fail to discern spiritual and physical signs of the times. There are those who choose to be religious yet remain hardened in their sins. To have a hardened heart is to remain obstinate despite scriptural warnings, admonitions and instructions. It is to deliberately choose to “sit-put” in ignorance and self-will despite Christ’s ample provision for entire sanctification and cleansing of the heart.

Hardness of heart robs one of God’s manifold blessings. Believers today must avoid living in unbelief and trust Him for their spiritual and physical needs. As Christ provided bread for the disciples and believers in their time, He still does for faithful believers today who put their trust in Him irrespective of contradicting circumstances.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Hardness of heart attracts God’s condemnation.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 11-13

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.