In biblical terms, "softening" often refers to the transformation or change of the human heart from a state of hardness or rebellion against God to one of receptivity and obedience. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, where the condition of the heart is a central theme.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently addresses the hardness of the human heart, particularly in relation to Israel's relationship with God. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises a profound transformation for His people: "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." This passage highlights the divine initiative in softening the hearts of His people, enabling them to follow His statutes and keep His judgments.

The account of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus serves as a contrasting example of a hardened heart. Despite witnessing numerous signs and wonders, Pharaoh's heart remained obstinate, leading to his eventual downfall (Exodus 7:13-14). This narrative underscores the consequences of resisting God's will and the importance of a softened heart in responding to His call.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of softening is closely associated with repentance and the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus often spoke about the condition of the heart in His teachings. In the Parable of the Sower, He describes different types of soil representing the varied responses to the Word of God. The "good soil" symbolizes those with a receptive heart who hear the word, understand it, and bear fruit (Matthew 13:23).

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of softening in his epistles. In Romans 2:4, he writes, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" Here, Paul emphasizes that it is God's kindness that leads individuals to a change of heart, prompting them to turn away from sin and toward righteousness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the softening of hearts. In John 16:8, Jesus explains that the Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction is a form of softening, as it opens individuals to the truth of the Gospel and their need for salvation.

Furthermore, the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, includes attributes such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect a softened heart that is responsive to the Spirit's leading and aligned with God's will.

Practical Implications

For believers, the process of softening is ongoing and involves a continual yielding to God's work in their lives. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and participation in the life of the church are means by which Christians can cultivate a softened heart. Hebrews 3:15 warns, "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" This exhortation serves as a reminder to remain open and responsive to God's voice.

In summary, softening in the biblical sense is a transformative process initiated by God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, and characterized by a heart that is receptive to His word and obedient to His commands.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Soften.

2. (a. & n.) from Soften.

Change not Always Improvement.
... woman even, or heroine [47] of any note, would have adventured her shoulders beneath
the hide of such a beast, unless after long softening and smoothening down ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

1 Corinthians xi. 26
... in life; business, neighbourhood, pleasure,"the occasions of most of our intercourse
with one another,"have in them nothing solemn or softening: they have ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxx 1 corinthians xi.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... God came to deal with him, he was soon tamed, and his heart became exceeding soft
and tender.' And when alluding to the Lord's voice, in softening the sinner's ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... Every step is narrated without a trace of softening, and without a word of emotion.
Not a single ugly detail is spared. The portraiture is as vivid as ever. ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

Home-Sympathy.
... heart.". And its softening influence fell, like morning dew, upon the heart
of adamant, melting it into contrition and love. "In ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiv home-sympathy.htm

The Maritime Itinerant.
... When he preached at Memramcook, "some were deeply affected;" at French village,
he left the people in tears, and the truth had a softening power upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/iii the maritime itinerant.htm

The Exordium or Introduction
... severe or easy, the cause should be made to incline toward the side which corresponds
with his disposition, or to admit some mitigation or softening where it ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the exordium or introduction.htm

Passion and Persuasion
... secret of forcibly carrying away the judges, of moving them, as we please, to a
certain disposition of mind, of inflaming them with anger, of softening them to ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/passion and persuasion.htm

Letter ii. In My Last Letter I Said that in the Bible There is ...
... I can conceive no softening here which would not nullify the doctrine, and convert
it to a cloud for each man's fancy to shift and shape at will. ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter ii in my last.htm

Plymouth Services
... He would read them as if they were fairly afire with indignation and wrath; then,
softening his voice, read them again with an infinite pathos, as if they were ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/plymouth services.htm

Softening (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Soften. 2. (a. & n.) from
Soften. Multi-Version Concordance Softening (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/softening.htm - 6k

Giving (611 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A gift; a benefaction. 4. (n.) The act of softening, breaking, or yielding.
Multi-Version Concordance Giving (611 Occurrences). ...
/g/giving.htm - 34k

Taw (1 Occurrence)
... as the skins of sheep, lambs, goats, and kids, for gloves, and the like, by imbuing
them with alum, salt, and other agents, for softening and bleaching them. ...
/t/taw.htm - 7k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Muffler
... 2. (n.) A cushion for terminating or softening a note made by a stringed instrument
with a keyboard. 3. (n.) A kind of mitten or boxing glove, esp. ...
/m/muffler.htm - 7k

Soak (1 Occurrence)
... lie in a fluid till the substance has imbibed what it can contain; to macerate in
water or other liquid; to steep, as for the purpose of softening or freshening ...
/s/soak.htm - 7k

Softened (1 Occurrence)

/s/softened.htm - 6k

Softer (1 Occurrence)

/s/softer.htm - 6k

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Summary of the Book of Nehemiah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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Softening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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