What does the Bible say about softening the heart?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that a softened heart is God’s gracious work, turning stubborn sinners from unbelief to repentance, faith, and willing obedience. He promises to remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh, with His Spirit within His people (Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 11:19). Though the human heart is deceitful and produces sinful desires (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19), God’s Word exposes and judges it (Hebrews 4:12). We should therefore seek Him in prayer, asking, “Create in me a clean heart” (Psalms 51:10), and not harden ourselves as Pharaoh did (1 Samuel 6:6). Heaven rejoices when God grants repentance to the lost (Luke 15:7).