5 Ways the Holy Spirit Softens Our Hearts

The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in helping Christians live holy lives. Being a new creation means your eyes are open to the truth, and the soil of your heart is fertile and ready to receive God’s Word and produce a harvest. Once you surrender your life to Christ, the renewal of your life happens through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 36:26

When you look at The Parable of the Sower, Jesus talks about the seed that falls on different types of soil.

The seed is God’s Word, and the ground represents your heart. A softened heart is essential for spiritual growth, empathy, and understanding. If you are going to have “good soil” and produce a “crop that produces thirty times what was sown,” you need to take the time to tend to your heart.

The Holy Spirit softens your heart because so many thorns rise through the trials of life. Being saved by grace doesn’t mean we don’t struggle with the lies of the enemy out of habit. If you seek a breakthrough in your spiritual walk and your life, you may need to invite the Holy Spirit in to soften your heart.

Here are five ways the Holy Spirit softens our hearts, as well as a prayer asking Him to prepare your heart so you can produce a mighty harvest in your life.

1.  The Holy Spirit Leads Us to Repentance

When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and judgment – John 16:8

There have been many moments when the Holy Spirit has brought conviction to my heart, and there have been moments where I have been freed from the guilt and shame I was holding on to.

A supernatural power exists within the presence of the Holy Spirit. When you have been baptized in the Spirit, you will always have a helper guiding you to a place where you no longer justify your sin, and instead, you will repent and discover a new way to live your life.

Justification of sin leads to holding onto hurtful words and actions. Repentance will soften our hearts to the consequences of our actions in our lives and the lives of those around us.

2.  The Holy Spirit Helps Us Let Go of Pride

But He gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:6-7

When Jesus was dying on the cross, he was in the middle of two thieves. One thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” The other mocked Jesus. Both thieves had committed a crime and were enduring the punishment they deserved. However, only one thief was forgiven.

What is the deciding factor in this interaction? Why did the thief mocking Jesus not receive the same treatment as the other thief? It was pride. Pride does an excellent job of telling us we are not sinners, we don’t need a Savior, and there is no reason to believe in Jesus. The thief who mocked Jesus was full of pride—even while dying a sinner’s death, his pride still blinded him.

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, we can be humble enough to let go of our pride. This begins with the Fear of the Lord and leaning into his presence.

3.  The Holy Spirit Helps Us See From Another Person’s Perspective

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of all that I said to you. – John 14:26

It is impossible to grasp how another person views the world entirely. One event in history is like a multifaceted diamond, with each facet representing one person’s viewpoint. Perspective comprises all our senses, biases, culture, and life experiences. If we cannot understand where another person is coming from, we will have difficulty sharing the Gospel.

Opening our eyes to those around us also opens our hearts to be more compassionate. This compassion is the key to showing mercy to others and being a good neighbor.

4.  The Holy Spirit Brings Healing to Our Wounded Heart

The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release those who are bound. – Isaiah 61:1

Holding onto offense is an open door for the enemy to tempt you. You may feel entitled to judge, be critical of others, and harbor unforgiveness. These behaviors will pull you away from God’s best for your life.

I have recently discovered my tendency to be easily offended by anything that could be interpreted as an attack on me or my family. The Holy Spirit softened my heart by showing this was a stronghold in my life. The Holy Spirit can bind up your broken heart, so you don’t have to live in prison or pain.

5.  The Holy Spirit Intercedes on Our Behalf

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. – Romans 8:26

This is one of my favorite verses about the Holy Spirit. When I first read it, I had no idea the Holy Spirit would pray for me.

Many people get lost in the idea that they must ask God for everything. But they can also ask the Holy Spirit to pray for them—imagine sending a prayer request to Him right now!

The truth is sometimes we don’t know what to pray for because we don’t know what the solution or answer should be. This is when we need to lean into our faith and start utilizing the gift given to us by Jesus, The Holy Spirit.

Here is a prayer you can pray inviting the Holy Spirit to come and soften your heart:

Holy Spirit, thank You for always being there. I know that when I heard the word of truth and believed in Jesus, I was sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Today, I ask You to fill my heart with Your presence and that You will make your presence known to me through softening my heart. I am struggling with ________, and I need Your help and guidance to get to a place where I can handle this in a way that glorifies You in every way. Thank You, and I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen