Heart Heardened by Sin

The fact that you wrote this post and are asking these questions, to me, indicates that you are still in relationship with God. Those whose hearts are hardened would never post here, or anywhere for that matter. They wouldn't want anything to do with God. This is my opinion. I am not saying you're not struggling. I am praying for you.

I pray you will find your answer. I am hesitant to even venture a reply. I guess it might come down to: What do you want most in life, and what are you willing to trade to get it?

1) Yes, but you should know that Esau finding no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears is a picture of Judgment Day. Those who are willing to repent in this life can and will be received back when they repent; a person whose heart is hardened beyond the point of return will not do this.
2) If you are indeed doing your best to repent of known sin when you had been involved in it habitually before, your heart probably has changed to a significant extent. You may be overly dependent on feelings and expecting an experience that you should not necessarily expect in returning to the Lord. But you do want to be absolutely that your commitment to the flesh is definitely broken in repentance and that there is no idol in your life rivaling the Jesus of the Bible. Take God at His Word and go about doing works meet for repentance and whatever your part in God's covenant in Christ requires of you- trusting that God will make you a partaker of His mercy and redemption which He has promised on His end of the covenant. If you find roadblocks to doing your end of the covenant, then you'll know better what stumbling-blocks you need to yet renounce and cast away from you. But there is a way back to grace if you really are willing to do whatever it takes to get back to it and continue in it.

Titus 2:11-14: "11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Isaiah 55:6-7: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Psalm 103:8-18: "8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."

bathelter01 said:

My question is two-fold:
1. Is it possible that a believer can persist in sin to the point that they can no longer repent and return to the Lord?
2. If this has happened, what do I do? Is there any hope to know Christ again?

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1. No. You can't "return" to the Lord because if you are in Christ, He went with you. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Wherever you go, He is. Remember, nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). He is no longer counting your sins against you (2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 4:8). If you are trapped in a sin, you must ask yourself, "What is that sin providing you that you don't believe you are receiving from God?" Chances are you are looking for either love, acceptance, meaning or purpose to life in sin and not from your relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. I suggest you revisit your understanding of the Gospel and your inheritance in Christ. Ask God to teach you afresh what these are and that will be the beginning of getting past the sins with which you struggle. We all struggle with sin to some degree. While frustrating, the struggle is a sign that you are His. Unbelievers don't struggle with sin in the same manner Christians do.
2. N/A If you're in Christ, He knows you (Galatians 4:9). It is time for you to know who you are in Him.
If you need resources, I can point you to some.
Grace and Peace

bathelter01 said:

I've made posts in the past regarding this issue but I'm still wrestling with it.

Many years ago I became involved in habitual sexual sin. I hated it and saw the Lord warning me to leave it but felt powerless to stop it or escape the cycle. One night after work, as though a light switch was flipped in my head, I felt what appeared to be the departing of the Spirit. I don't have a biblical category for it. I saw all of my desires revert to what they once were before I came to Christ. I no longer loved Jesus or desired him. I felt completely numb and desireless. It seemed to me that I no longer believed and had no heart desire to submit to the Lord, though I desired this with my mind completely. I was torn between what was happening in my heart and what I desired with my mind.

Since then I have gotten accountability partners and software and begun having constant quiet times again doing my best to repent of known sin. Throughout this time I was in seminary and very involved with my church. I think I had convinced myself that I could have Christ and my sin. Or at least that, as long as I was pursuing Christ, I wasn't turning away from him.

Two years later my heart hasn't changed at all. I still do not desire Christ. I still do not feel broken over my sin. I still see no effects of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are completely dry and empty. I do not seem to have any faith. I want to know Christ again and enjoy him but I feel that my heart is a stone in my chest and I do not see the terribleness of my sin. I have no real, deep repentance.

This brings me to Esau and his hardened heart. It seems that there can come a point where someone can be involved in sin to the point that they cannot repent. I read an article from John Piper about the subject. Is God Fed Up with Me?
He seems to echo that there is a point of no return. It seems that I have crossed that point. No matter how hard I chase after Christ it feels vain and as though it comes from a dishonest heart. One that isn't broken over how I have offended God as it once did. One that is afraid of the consequences of sin and God's judgement. Though I have prayed for 2 years now, my heart has not been softened and I am unable to repent deeply and truly as I once did. Everyone around me tells me that this hasn't happened but nothing has changed in years.

My question is two-fold:
1. Is it possible that a believer can persist in sin to the point that they can no longer repent and return to the Lord?
2. If this has happened, what do I do? Is there any hope to know Christ again?

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Continue in the Lord and wait for him to help you overcome yours sins. Study His Word daily.

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 37:7-9 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

I would like to respond to you about this but I have some questions for you. How is your daily life? Are you experiencing God's presence at all (have you ever before this)? Are any of your prayers being answered? Are you fearful about judgement or at peace? When you attempt to seek God what is that like? I know I have asked you many questions but I want to try to line up everything with the Bible. As you were a seminary student, you know that the Bible will answer your questions. I must tell you that I don't hold a view point of once saved always saved. This has been a long time debate amongst believers. I don't think that you do as well or you wouldn't be asking these questions. Meanwhile I will pray for you.

bathelter01 said:

I've made posts in the past regarding this issue but I'm still wrestling with it.

Many years ago I became involved in habitual sexual sin. I hated it and saw the Lord warning me to leave it but felt powerless to stop it or escape the cycle. One night after work, as though a light switch was flipped in my head, I felt what appeared to be the departing of the Spirit. I don't have a biblical category for it. I saw all of my desires revert to what they once were before I came to Christ. I no longer loved Jesus or desired him. I felt completely numb and desireless. It seemed to me that I no longer believed and had no heart desire to submit to the Lord, though I desired this with my mind completely. I was torn between what was happening in my heart and what I desired with my mind.

Since then I have gotten accountability partners and software and begun having constant quiet times again doing my best to repent of known sin. Throughout this time I was in seminary and very involved with my church. I think I had convinced myself that I could have Christ and my sin. Or at least that, as long as I was pursuing Christ, I wasn't turning away from him.

Two years later my heart hasn't changed at all. I still do not desire Christ. I still do not feel broken over my sin. I still see no effects of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are completely dry and empty. I do not seem to have any faith. I want to know Christ again and enjoy him but I feel that my heart is a stone in my chest and I do not see the terribleness of my sin. I have no real, deep repentance.

This brings me to Esau and his hardened heart. It seems that there can come a point where someone can be involved in sin to the point that they cannot repent. I read an article from John Piper about the subject. Is God Fed Up with Me?
He seems to echo that there is a point of no return. It seems that I have crossed that point. No matter how hard I chase after Christ it feels vain and as though it comes from a dishonest heart. One that isn't broken over how I have offended God as it once did. One that is afraid of the consequences of sin and God's judgement. Though I have prayed for 2 years now, my heart has not been softened and I am unable to repent deeply and truly as I once did. Everyone around me tells me that this hasn't happened but nothing has changed in years.

My question is two-fold:
1. Is it possible that a believer can persist in sin to the point that they can no longer repent and return to the Lord?
2. If this has happened, what do I do? Is there any hope to know Christ again?

Click to expand...

One time many years ago I prayed an earnest prayer written in a letter to God. I then forgot about it and went about my life. 7 years later God answered that prayer in a very powerful way, and reminded me of it by showing me a vision of the letter I wrote. My point is that God knows those who are His, and He is able to keep our lives that we have entrusted to Him.

It appears to me that you are putting too much stock in your feelings. It is a very common problem. But faith transcends feelings - that is, we are called to believe in Christ and obey Him sometimes in spite of the way we feel. So don't let your feelings define who you are, or define your relationship with God. If feelings indicate a problem, it's time to give it into God's hands and let Him do His healing work.

St. Peter wrote "Jesus suffered on the cross for our sins, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds we are healed." This tells us to put aside our personal feelings and begin to believe that Christ heals our spirit and causes us to do right. It's a big part of denying self. When your faith drives you, I think you'll find yourself able to control your feelings.

Paul wrote of being content in all he did. If you let God and the truth of the gospel to satisfy you, contentment will come. Give yourself some room to heal in your heart.
TD

The reality is, you have to make your choice. The beauty is, you can choose Christ. Christ broke the chains to sexual immorality and if we are to be honest with ourselves, if we continue in sin it's because we are choosing the sin.

From my experience...when I was living in the sin, I constantly lied to myself. I told myself I couldn't help it, I told myself I was powerless, I pretty much put up a wall of excuses. The truth sets us free and this is what helped me: Christ has freed us from sexual immorality and if we give into sexual immorality it is because we make the choice to. It is as if the same chains that Christ has broken, we pick up and put right back onto our wrists. Christ is so much better than the pleasures our flesh offers. When we pray for help over combating sin, we must remember, God makes a way out every time. He is already helping.

There are usually two reasons why people still go back to sexual sin. They lack faith or they don't fear God.

So I want to conclude with is this...No more excuses, choose Christ, Christ sets you free, put on the new self, and follow Christ. There is no secret formula, this is the answer. You cannot serve God and live in sexual immorality, since you sin against the temple of the Holy Spirit (your body). You need to repent of your sexual immorality. I say this with love, I know it sounds direct.

Faith is much more than making a statement. Taking action is great evidence that you have faith in something. If you believe in Christ, you will not keep on doing this sin. If you continue in this sin, your Salvation is at stake.

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. - Proverbs 16:6