Do you read or hear God’s Word and fail to understand it? Do you struggle to determine the meaning of Scripture? Do you desire to understand it? Or do you merely take a superficial approach to it? Do you know there is a difference?
There are many, many people in this world and in our churches who claim they don’t understand Scripture. They will claim it is too difficult for them. Unfortunately, their lack of understanding reveals their lack of desire to understand.
Satan hardens hearts and minds. He lures people away from God’s Word by enticing them to chase after the things of this world. He tells us we need to be know what is going on in other people’s lives. The more famous the other person is, the more important it is we know about them. We believe the lie. We believe what is published in news media, social media, and tabloids tells who the person is.
We can quote the names of every actor on our favorite television program but cannot name the twelve apostles. We can spout statistics of our favorite sports team and its players but can not state just half a dozen places the Apostle Paul visited on his three mission trips.
Do not misunderstand. I am not saying we need to memorize the entire Bible, though that wouldn’t be a bad thing. We do, however, need to pay attention to the lessons and sermons. We do need to read Scripture with a desire to understand. Understanding does not come in just a moment. It takes time.
While studying for a very challenging professional test, I purchased the most recommended book to study. The author stated it was not until we read something three times that we retain it and understand it. We might want to take that approach to reading Scripture. How many times have you sat down to read just one book or one chapter of a book in the Bible? Satan loves to lure us away from knowing God’s Word.
I pray we all spend time reading Scripture. I pray we determine to know Scripture as well as we know meaningless worldly trivia. I pray each one of us will turn our eyes and ears to Jesus for understanding. Read God’s Word. Seek understanding. Read it multiple times. Ask Jesus to reveal its meaning to you. Make knowing God a priority.
Matthew 13:14-15 “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’”
Marty Pressey 