What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty over human hearts?

The sovereignty of God over human hearts is a key theme in Scripture, as exemplified in Exodus 10:1-2, where it states that God hardened Pharaoh's heart to fulfill His divine purpose. This demonstrates that God is firmly in control of all things, including the decisions and inclinations of human beings. God's sovereign will is not subject to human understanding or consent; it operates independently and effectively to accomplish His plans. Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself led to God leaving him in his pride, illustrating that judgment serves to fulfill God's sovereign maintenance of order and justice in the world. As Romans 9:18 states, 'Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.'