Why Can Some People Understand the Bible But Others Cannot?

Today there is a sense that God's Word is lost and irrelevant. Some people believe it is ineffective because in their minds it was written long ago by "mortal men" and therefore they reject it. My question is, if you believe this, then what makes the Word of God effective in some people's lives and not others? How is it that it changes some lives but others are unmoved by it? If you take into consideration that people put aside any of God's instruction, that instruction actually becomes of no effect to that person. That person is in the same category of the Jewish leaders in Christ's day: "For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes have they closed unless they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears unless they should understand with their heart and turn so that I would heal them" (Matthew 13:15). The Word of God (the Bible) is effectively "lost" to that person! Or in another sense, it is "lost" to the world. Notice the accountability in the above scripture? Unless THEY. THEIR eyes. THEIR ears. THEY should. THEY have closed. Unless THEY turn. So many are hardened against God and are against anything to do with God, they close THEIR eyes and THEIR ears. This indifference and rebellion are easily seen in this country. Take for instance the battle over the Ten Commandments to remain in institutions, or the effort to remove the motto "In God We Trust" from everything in the public eye. Anything related to God has become offensive.

It is these same people who ridicule God's Word. They have lost touch with the reality that God is their creator whether they acknowledge it or not. They are like the Gentiles spoken of in Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, [and they] "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:23; Romans 1:25). There is a lot there , but that's for another day! They are also like the hardened soil in Matthew's Parable of the Sower, "When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn't understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside" (Matthew 13:19). But notice, even though hearing they don't understand (scriptures) Satan comes to snatch away that which was SOWN IN HIS HEART! So, though a man doesn't understand, God's Word WAS "deposited" in his heart! However, if there is no interest, no consideration, no conviction, if a person isn't moved to respond or change by what they hear, that WORD IS EFFECTIVELY LOST to that person! You could say The Word of God is "hidden" from their minds, "Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe unless the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

How terrible that some just can’t find the truths in God’s Word because it's there for all to understand.
There is another sense that comes to mind. Think of the thousands of dusty Bibles lying on coffee tables or shelves that are never opened. In this case, the “Book” is in plain view, but it is never opened. The “Book” might as well be lost as was the book of the Law in Josiah’s day. If it is never read, never consumed in the minds of people, in essence, it's "lost." But think of this point: In Josiah’s day, it was lost in the Temple. That’s like being lost in our church buildings today! Just suppose the Word is preached at every appointed time during the assembly of God’s people. If one is not there to hear, then to them the words spoken are lost. If one is present but will not heed the instruction, the effect of the word is “lost” on that person too. Same thing! For some, the Word goes in one ear and out the other.

Those who HEAR the Word of God, who do not ridicule it, but who willfully open their eyes and open their ears to believe the Word in faith, TURN TO ACT ON IT in obedience. These will bring forth "fruits" that bear witness that the Word "planted," took root, and is living in them. These are the same people spoken of in the Parable of the Sower who accept God's Word (the Seed) and produce visible characteristics (fruits) proving they have indeed turned from their old ways (Matthew 13:8). These are also those who love to share what they have heard (Matthew 22:9-10, Acts 10:24). We all have the responsibility to live by His instructions (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 John 3: 23-24). Some will hear, but unfortunately, some will refuse to hear. Some will turn from their sins. Some will not. Some have their prayers answered. Others will not; ever. Some understand the scriptures as written. Some never will. Those who believe and follow will understand because God will reveal His Word as they are able to receive it. Others will ridicule the Word, tell you it was written by men, reject it at every turn, and will never hear from God or have their requests considered.

Today I pray that if you hear the Word of God you act on it knowing IT WAS PLANTED IN YOUR HEART! If you've heard it or read it, it's there. Think of that! It's actually inside you. You have a chance to meditate on it, consider it, and let it guide and change you into the person God has always intended you to be. Don't sit on it for the devil to come to snatch it away. The longer you wait, the easier Satan's attempt will be to make you doubt it, question its validity, to encourage you to remain lazy, or ignore it altogether! We often escape the discipline we are due because of God’s kindness. Nevertheless, we walk on thin ice when we think we can presume upon His kindness and patience. After all, the Lord’s patience toward sinners will run out eventually (Romans 2:4–5). Hearing and seeing are chances God is giving you to hear and understand His Word. Don't put aside God's instruction that it becomes of none effect! Open your eyes to see, open your ears to hear so that you turn and walk after the Lord.

Until next time,
-Pat-