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Matthew 13:15 |
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For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Note 3 at Mt. 13:15: The word "waxed" means "to become gradually more intense or to increase" and shows that this condition of the heart is not something we are born with or that strikes us suddenly. It has to be nurtured over a prolonged period of time. This is the reason we should not violate our conscience, even in small things. This will keep us sensitive to God and will stop our hearts from becoming hardened to God (see note 10 at Mk. 6:52, p. 179). If we will stay faithful to God, even in the small things, then we'll be faithful in the more important things also (Lk. 16:10-12).
