This can happen spiritually. The early stage is “dull of hearing,” the worst is being spiritually stone-deaf. When one no longer hears from God it is impossible to be renewed again to repentance. Being granted repentance, what Paul calls being changed “from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18 KJV), is the proof we are hearing God. He deals with us, shows us our sin, we repent and walk in the light and know sweet fellowship (1 John 1:7).
