A hurting heart can lead to a closed ear and a hardened core, resulting in a toughened exterior. These patterns of behavior are often rooted in generational trauma, causing God’s people to have stubbornness and resistance.
But what does it mean to have a stiff neck? It refers to a person struggling with a prideful and arrogant disposition, which often masks a deep longing for love and companionship. Unfortunately, they are unable to receive it when it is offered to them.
It’s not that love is out of reach; rather, a heart that is determined to remain hardened is unwilling to repent and experience true freedom. A heart burdened by unresolved conflicts is a heart that beats with aggression and slowly fades away over time.
Living a life without change is a sorrowful existence, and even though people may try to love them, they push others away out of fear of getting hurt while they are hurting themselves, and truly good people are saved and serving Christ.
As Apostle Paul aptly stated in Ephesians 4:18 (ESV), “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.”
To be darkened means to be damaged, troubled, depressed, and unhappy. A person who lacks the light to see the beauty in the present becomes consumed by the past. They distance themselves from Christ because the unfamiliarity feels threatening to them.
Sadly, adults who have suffered childhood trauma often struggle the most because they have yet to allow the healing light to enter their old wounds. The scripture reminds us that God’s love is revealed to us through His Son, who was sent to the world so that we may live through Him. It is not because we loved God, but because He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to deal with our sins.
All too often, Satan exploits bleeding scars and patterns to divide families, causing parents to remain separated from their children. Moreover, it creates an impenetrable barrier that prevents the love of caring relatives from reaching their ears.
Matthew 13:15 says, “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears, they can barely hear, and their eyes, they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.”
My heart feels burdened for those we love who are unable to hear the truth that could set them free. They are too busy passing false judgments to partake in the liberty found in Christ. I wish I possessed an emergency antidote that could say, “Here, drink this and be well.” But even if I did, they wouldn’t drink it out of fear that I would harm them from the false lying and rumors they spread and hear.
Sadly, this is the truth of what Satan whispers into the ears of hardened hearts. How many can relate to the sinister nature of the enemy’s lies? We witness it in people plagued by irrational fears. However, the Bible reassures us that there is no fear in love. Thus, without Christ’s love, the darkened world terrorizes these individuals.
John 10:10 (ESV) says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Satan desires to steal the joy of family and the gentleness of tears. He is a coward who hides behind lies and deceit, masquerading himself as light.
2 Corinthians 11:14 reminds us, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
For those living in fear of being seen as weak, the devil has a field day in their minds. Pride becomes a soothing mechanism that protects them while concealing their pain.
They yearn to be loved but struggle to let go. Often, they pretend to love, but their treatment of others is marked by cruelty and meanness. Vulnerability is something they are unwilling to embrace, missing out on every opportunity Jesus presents to set them free. Let us remember what Jesus said to the Jews who claimed to believe in Him yet found offense in His word:
John 8:32 (ESV) says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
It all comes down to humility, and until that happens, those who are wounded remain trapped in their pain. Yet, Jesus desires nothing more than to set them free. Let life not pass you by and cause you to miss out on the amazing things that stand before you, for once they are gone, they are gone forever.
Life is transient, and nobody is beyond learning. Our eternal salvation, purchased by the blood of Jesus, provides a way to be saved in the present.
Revelation 3:22 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The Holy Spirit is speaking to someone. This lesson feels all too familiar to me. Jesus often chooses a family member who is set apart to break generational curses through their commitment to serve Christ in the present age.
Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV) reassures us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
I am living this reality.
I have been able to see in the spiritual realm all my life, and this is not news to those who know me well. However, today it is all about Jesus and the newfound freedom we have in our Savior.
Blessings, dearest church, treasure love like the sunsets of the Heaven gate.
Much Love,
Sister Christine
C. Beach ©️ Formally Brejcha