Podcast Summary: Hardness of Heart – Episode 7

Podcast: The Gospel Truth with Andrew Wommack
Episode Date: October 21, 2025
Topic: Understanding What Hardens Our Hearts (and How to Stay Soft Toward God)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Andrew Wommack continues his in-depth teaching on the subject of "hardness of heart." Building on previous sessions, he explores what causes a heart to become hardened—not only blatant sin, but also ordinary preoccupations with everyday life. Using scriptural examples and personal anecdotes, Andrew explains how even good activities, if not kept in perspective, can dull our sensitivity to God. He also clarifies critical misconceptions around sin, God’s love, and spiritual sensitivity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Definition and Root Causes of a Hardened Heart

• Not just about sin:
  Andrew emphasizes that a hardened heart is not always caused by sin or active rebellion but often by an overemphasis on the natural, day-to-day concerns of life.

  “It wasn't focused on sin...Their attention was just totally focused on the natural.” (04:04–04:11)

• Scriptural basis:

  • Mark 6:52 – The disciples were shocked by Jesus walking on water because they “considered not the miracle of the loaves.”
  • Hebrews 3:12-13 – Warns believers about their hearts being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

• Key point:
  It is what we consider, think upon, and give our attention to that determines the condition of our hearts.

  “The word consider means to study, ponder, deliberate, examine or meditate on.” (04:31–04:35)

Misconceptions About Sin and God’s Love

• Sin’s real impact:
  Andrew clarifies that sin does not make God reject a believer or withdraw His love. Instead, it makes the individual less sensitive and responsive to God.

  “God's heart doesn't change towards you if you are a Christian...But your sin will harden your heart toward God.” (08:36–08:47)

  “There are consequences to you living in sin, but it's not God that's going to reject you.” (08:21–08:25)

• Practical implication:
  Although God’s love is unconditional, the consequences of sin can show up through the actions of others (e.g., losing a job for poor work habits) and through spiritual dullness.

• Religious misunderstanding:
  Religion often teaches that God punishes or withdraws from those in sin. Andrew disagrees, stating:

  “God's never going to leave you nor forsake you. I don't care what you do. God loves you because of what Jesus has done. There's nothing you can do to make him love you more. There's nothing you can do to make him love you less.” (09:18–09:30)

Everyday Life Can Also Harden the Heart

• Preoccupation with the natural:
  Even ordinary, good things (work, family, ministry, activities) can harden our hearts if they crowd out time spent with God.

  “Anything taken to an extreme can harden your heart towards God just because it occupies your attention.” (11:04–11:10)

• Personal example:
  Andrew shares that during times of intensive ministry—preaching three times a day for weeks—he found his own heart growing insensitive to God, despite the fact he was doing good things.

  “Did you know, I actually had to come to the people that were putting all of this together. And I said, look, I just can't do this long term. I said, I've got to sit and soak and receive, not just give it out.” (14:49–15:03)

• Takeaway:
  “The ministry can actually harden your heart toward God...anything that occupies you to the point that you aren't just sitting there and receiving from God...can harden your heart.” (15:42–15:54)

The Need for Deliberate Focus on God

• Quality and quantity of time matter:
  Andrew references Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1—in order to keep our hearts soft, we must meditate on the Word “day and night.”

  “This is talking about quantity as well as quality time.” (18:44)

• What you focus on shapes you:

  “Whatever you focus on is going to dominate you. Proverbs 23:7. As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (19:12–19:16)

• Spiritual sensitivity is a result of deliberate choice:
  Simply by neglecting to think about or focus on God, your heart becomes hard—no active rebellion required.

Notable Stories and Memorable Examples

• Burnout in ministry:
  Andrew describes how endless giving (preaching, helping, meeting needs) without taking time for private spiritual renewal led to his own insensitivity, despite being surrounded by spiritual activity.

• Other ministers relate:
  He tells of a pastor who, convicted by Andrew’s teaching, announced he’d be taking Mondays off for his spiritual health, despite criticism that “the devil never takes a day off.”

  “Well, then if I don't take a day off, I'm going to be just like the devil.” (16:57–17:00)

• The impact of focus:
  Many Christians expect supernatural results while feeding constantly on the natural world—news, entertainment, busyness—leading to hearts hardened to the things of God.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “If you are living in sin, stop it. That's just about as plain as I could make it.” – Andrew Wommack (05:52)

• “God's heart doesn't change towards you if you are a Christian...But your sin will harden your heart toward God.” – Andrew Wommack (08:36–08:47)

• “It's not just sin and rebellion that hardens your heart towards God, but just being preoccupied with this natural world will harden your heart towards God. Now that's a huge statement right there.” – Andrew Wommack (10:34)

• “The ministry can actually harden your heart toward God...anything that occupies you to the point that you aren't just sitting there and receiving from God...can harden your heart.” – Andrew Wommack (15:42–15:54)

• “Whatever you focus on is going to dominate you.” – Andrew Wommack (19:12)

• “You don't have to reject [the things of God], just fail to consider it. Don't make it your focus. And you will become hardened towards that.” – Andrew Wommack (22:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Explanation of a Hardened Heart & Scriptural Basis: 03:55–06:10
• Sin, Religion, and God's Love: 06:45–09:30
• How Natural Preoccupations Harden the Heart: 10:34–11:50
• Andrew’s Personal Burnout Story: 12:40–15:03
• Advice to Other Ministers – Rest and Renewal: 16:15–17:00
• The Importance of Focus and Meditation: 18:25–19:50
• Summary and Key Takeaways: 21:35–22:30

Episode Takeaways

• Sin hardens your heart toward God, but even good, natural things can do the same if they dominate your attention.
• God’s love remains constant—He doesn’t withdraw His presence or affection because of your sin.
• The greatest safeguard against a hardened heart is active, continuous meditation on the Word, and prioritizing personal fellowship with God.
• If you neglect spiritual focus (even for noble reasons like ministry or family), your heart will inevitably become less sensitive to God.
• The solution is not only to avoid sin but to protect your attention and intentionally prioritize spiritual engagement every single day.

This episode is ideal for listeners seeking practical, scriptural teaching on how to maintain a responsive, sensitive heart toward God, amidst the pressures and distractions of everyday life.