The term "hardest" in the context of the Bible often relates to the condition of the human heart, the challenges faced by individuals, or the severity of certain situations. The Bible frequently addresses the hardness of heart as a spiritual condition that impedes one's relationship with God and others.

Hardness of Heart

The concept of a hardened heart is a recurring theme in Scripture, often used to describe a state of spiritual insensitivity or rebellion against God. In Exodus, Pharaoh's heart is repeatedly described as hardened, preventing him from releasing the Israelites despite the plagues sent by God. "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses" (Exodus 9:12). This hardening serves as a demonstration of God's sovereignty and the consequences of persistent disobedience.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the hardness of heart among the Pharisees and others who resist His message. In Mark 3:5, Jesus is grieved by their hardness: "And looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored" . This passage highlights the contrast between the compassion of Christ and the obstinacy of those who refuse to believe.

Challenges and Trials

The Bible also speaks to the hardest trials and challenges faced by believers. These are often seen as tests of faith and opportunities for spiritual growth. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as a means to develop perseverance: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" .

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently discusses the hardships he endured for the sake of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul lists the numerous trials he faced, including imprisonments, beatings, and shipwrecks. These hardships are presented as part of his apostolic mission and a testament to his unwavering commitment to Christ.

Severity of Judgment

The Bible also uses the term "hardest" in the context of divine judgment. The severity of God's judgment is often depicted as a response to persistent sin and rebellion. In Romans 2:5, Paul warns of the consequences of a hardened heart: "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed" . This passage underscores the seriousness of rejecting God's grace and the inevitable justice that follows.

Spiritual Resilience

Despite the hardest challenges and the severity of judgment, the Bible offers hope and encouragement for those who remain faithful. In Philippians 4:13, Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" . This assurance of divine strength and support is a source of comfort for believers facing the hardest trials.

In summary, the concept of "hardest" in the Bible encompasses the hardness of heart, the challenges of life, and the severity of divine judgment, all of which are addressed with the hope of redemption and the promise of God's enduring presence.

Difficulties and Objections
... acknowledged. The hardest thing of all, perhaps, is to maintain the balance
of truth. It is largely a matter of perspective. That ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eleven difficulties and objections.htm

How to Keep Out of Trouble
... It looks very easy to mind one's own business, but it is one of the hardest things
in the world to do, because it is one of the hardest things in the world for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk sixteen how to keep.htm

Spirit Contests.
... Emergencies come in spiritual matters, too. They are the hardest kind to
meet. It is hardest to make people see them and grip them. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/spirit contests.htm

Our Drawing Power.
... That fact at once brings out strikingly his winning power. For the hardest thing
in all this world to win is a man. Of all luggage man is the hardest to move. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/our drawing power.htm

Stubborn Little Sammy.
... Now, the hardest thing a man has to do is to become a Christian, and it is the easiest. ...
The hardest thing for a man to do is to give up his will. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/stubborn little sammy.htm

Self-Knowledge.
... And from that sad disclosure learn. Life's hardest lesson, ere too late:". Life's
hardest lesson, but its best! The source of all my ills to trace. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxix self-knowledge.htm

The Nineteenth Century. November 14.
... out of the future looms the fulfilment of our primeval mission to conquer and subdue
the earth, and space too, and time, and all things"even hardest of all ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the nineteenth century november 14.htm

Death to Sin is the Way Out into a Life of Holiness.
... Take the very hardest thing in your life"the place of difficulty, outward or
inward, and expect God to triumph gloriously in that very spot. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to sin is the.htm

On Appeal.
... Some of these difficulties, we have already mentioned. The hardest to overcome are
the obstacles within the mind and heart of the hearer himself. ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii on appeal.htm

Predestination and Calling
... See what effectual calling can do. If God should choose this morning to call the
hardest-hearted wretch within hearing of the gospel, he must obey. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/predestination and calling.htm

Conditions (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:9 In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains,
like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains. (BBE). ...
/c/conditions.htm - 10k

Hardest (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hardest (6 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 4:12 And
with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us ...
/h/hardest.htm - 8k

Quietly (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:12 And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us
curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly; (BBE). ...
/q/quietly.htm - 16k

Diamond (5 Occurrences)
... It is rendered "adamant" (qv) in Ezek. 3:9, Zechariah 7:12. It is the hardest
and most valuable of precious stones. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/d/diamond.htm - 9k

Bildad (5 Occurrences)
... of the friends, is brief, subdued in tone, and for substance is a kind of Parthian
shot, reiterating Eliphaz' depravity idea, the doctrine that dies hardest. ...
/b/bildad.htm - 11k

Bricks (10 Occurrences)
... 1:14 And made their lives bitter with hard work, making building-material and bricks,
and doing all sorts of work in the fields under the hardest conditions. ...
/b/bricks.htm - 10k

Building-material (1 Occurrence)
... 1:14 And made their lives bitter with hard work, making building-material and bricks,
and doing all sorts of work in the fields under the hardest conditions. ...
/b/building-material.htm - 6k

Blessings (45 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:12 And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us
curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly; (BBE). ...
/b/blessings.htm - 19k

Curses (55 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:12 And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us
curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly; (BBE). ...
/c/curses.htm - 22k

Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)
... the mansions above. Next to the diamond it is the hardest and most costly
of all precious stones. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n ...
/c/carbuncle.htm - 10k

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