3. The Lord Opened Her Heart Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14).

4. What Is The Heart The Lord Opened “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4). “... and all reasoned in their hearts about John...” (Luke 3:15). “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). “... lest they should understand with their hearts and turn...” (Matthew 13:15). God opened Lydia’s mind so that she understood and believed.

5. The Lord Hardened His Heart “... do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go” (Exodus 4:21). “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 7:3). “Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 14:4). God closed Pharaoh’s mind so that he miscalculated and disbelieved.

6. The Lord Hardened His Heart “So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn” (Exodus 4:23). “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 8:8). “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said” (Exodus 8:5). Pharaoh did not want to do what God told him to do—so he stiffened and REFUSED!

7. The Lord Opened Her Heart She was a worshiper of God (vs 14). This was her “custom” (vs 13). She listened to the Word (vs 14). She willingly accepted the Word (vs 15). “But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:15-16). Lydia wanted to believe and obey God—so she willingly and lovingly SUBMITTED!

8. What YOU want determines which path you take!

9. The Lord Hardens Those Who Say “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19). “... having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).

10. The Lord Opens The Hearts of Those Who Say YES Mark 4:20, Accepts the Word (Takes it in, engrafts it, James 1:21). Luke 8:15, Keeps it (Willing to do whatever it says, John 7:17). Matt 13:23 Understands it (Becomes clear/reasonable, Matt 13:12).

11. Disobedience Is Not Caused By HypocriteDisciples NOT wanting to do what God says! Disobedience Is Caused By