The process of spiritual transformation often involves a change of heart, where a person's inner being is made more receptive to God's will. According to Ezekiel, this transformation is a divine work, where God gives a new heart and puts a new spirit within, enabling obedience to His commands, as seen in Ezekiel 36:26 and Ezekiel 11:19. The prophet Jeremiah also writes about this transformation, noting the need for a new heart in Jeremiah 24:7, and cautioning against the deceitfulness of the human heart in Jeremiah 17:9. In the New Testament, Jesus' words in John 12:39-40 suggest that some people's hearts can be hardened, but through God's work, hearts can be softened, making way for spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with Him.
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I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people on their way as they departed?
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”