November 15, 2026

To the followers of Christ: Did you know that God wants everyone to come to him and be saved? However, we read in some portions of scripture that God hardens the hearts of some people, so they never see the truth. It seems so harsh and unlike what we would consider a loving and caring Father to do. We've read about it in the Old Testament when the Israelites were trying to leave Egypt, and God hardened the heart of Pharaoh, who changed his mind many times and didn't release them from their captivity. With all the miracles shown to Pharaoh through Moses, you would have thought he would have seen the truth about God's power and let them go.

During Jesus' time, many people educated in the scriptures did the same thing. Jesus showed them many miracles to prove who he was, yet they refused to see the truth. Like Pharaoh, these people were wicked. I found an answer as to why God would harden someone's heart and close their eyes to the truth of who He is: wickedness. The hardening of hearts and blindness to the truth are punishments for wickedness. God gives us everything we need to know Him: scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and personal revelation, but it's up to us to pay attention and believe what is true, never allowing wickedness to rule us. With all the wisdom that these religious leaders had, they still couldn't see that Jesus was the Messiah. Never let wickedness overtake you; it is punishable by a hardened heart and blindness to the truth of who Jesus is. 

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with theireyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. John 12:37-40