Why Some Lack Understanding

How many have said, “I wish I understood the Bible?” A prerequisite to understanding the Word of God is an honest heart that actually desires to know His truth. A reason some lack understanding is they are not considering what is said, much less, taking to it to heart. Basically, it equates to ignoring it. When a person ignores truth, he becomes ignorant to it as well. That ignorance can lead to outright rejection of truth.
Truth challenges people to change, and some do not want to change. This is another reason people can’t seem to find time to read their Bible, or listen to the spoken Word. If one finds himself pushing back against the truth, one might ask, “Am I being carnal, (or flesh-driven)?”
Romans 8:6-8 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (NASB).
The carnal mind, or flesh, relates to the old nature. Ultimately, it will die in the end. For those in Christ Jesus, it is counted as dead already. By God’s grace, we are able to follow the Spirit, while counting the flesh as dead. The more you place your mind on the things of the Spirit, the easier it will be to grasp the Word of God. Conversely, the more focused you are on the world, the more difficult it becomes.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Ignorance is No Excuse

“Ignorance of the law is not excuse” can actually be applied to the Word, especially when goes beyond mere lack of knowledge. People have a misconception that God will not hold people accountable for what they do not know. What does God have to say about it?
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
It is one thing to be ignorant due to the lack of learning; it’s another to be ignorant, because one refuses to learn. In everyday life, most have experienced this to various degrees. Have you ever made a poor choice, because you refused to learn all the facts involved? Perhaps, you knew the consequences, but did something anyway. Depending on specifics, the consequences of ignorance can be quite profound. In some cases, destruction awaits those who are willingly ignorant.

Take His Truth to Heart

Underscoring a previous point, if we gloss over what we read, we miss much of what the Lord desires to reveal to us. This is easy to do if we’re trying to read by volume, or rushing through our devotion, just so we can get done for the day. There is a difference between quality and quantity. Of course, a quantity of quality is an awesome thing. It may prove much more beneficial to meditate on single passage of Scripture than to quickly read a chapter, or book.
When we take His Word to heart, we are more apt to dig to find the riches of the meaning found in the words. It is easy to gloss over something we don’t understand, such as a particular word used in a verse. The challenge is to find the meaning of the word in a dictionary. To drill down even deeper, a Strong’s Concordance with a Hebrew/Chaldean/Greek dictionary is rather useful, since it goes into the original languages. What if it still doesn’t make sense after using a dictionary, or Strong’s Concordance?
Sometimes, we need to meditate on it, and wait on Holy Spirit for revelation (the revealing of an already existing truth), which requires us to be teachable. The New Man already understands, which is why we get a sense of knowing, even if we may not be able to articulate it in the moment. Our conscious mind simply has to catch up.                                  Be encouraged, God is faithful to reveal His truth. Nonetheless, we do have a part to play. Moreover, there is a proving process taking place, when we don’t immediately grasp the things of God.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

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Your View of Truth Affects Everything

   How you view truth; whether or not you believe it; accept or reject it, impacts your life. For the most part, the way people live reveal how they measure it. Those who reject or even try to create their own truth, will never live their best possible life. Moreover, they will suffer eternal consequences if there is no repentance. Of course, those who embrace truth are able to come into their greatest possible life, along with eternal reward.

   Let’s be clear at the onset, truth never changes regardless of time, opinion, or culture for that matter. The world is hostile towards truth, because it is run by the spirit of disobedience (see Ephesians 2:1-3). This is one reason there is so much chaos.

Rejecting the Truth Leads to Self-Deception

   Everyone on the planet has known or will know the truth at some point in their life.  God placed it in each of us, but not everyone held onto it. Many have outright rejected the truth, which includes trying to pervert it for their own purposes.

   Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

   People know intuitively the difference between right and wrong. They don’t have to be told. However, they can sear their own conscious over time, and become desensitized. In the end, they reject truth. Jesus revealed they reject it because their deeds are evil (see John 3:19-20). It’s one reason some claim atheism.

   When individuals depart from truth, they enter into self-deception.

   Romans 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.  

   It’s interesting to listen to those who profess to being enlightened. Many of whom call believers ignorant and unlearned. “They’re living in the dark ages.” They claim to be free from the shackles of religion; but in reality, they’re in bondage to sin. To many, their rhetoric sounds wise, but it falls apart when it comes under scrutiny of the truth. Because they prefer darkness, darkness is light to them. The call good, evil, and call evil, good.

   When someone insists on darkness, at some point in time God will give him over to self-deception that he would believe what is false (see Romans 1:23-32; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12). This is based on their decision; not His. His will is all come to repentance. This is the ultimate end for those who ultimately reject the truth.

Truth Leads to Freedom

   John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

   John 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.

   Unless a person’s personal truth is the Word of God, his truth will never set him free. The more you embrace the Word of God, the more freedom you will experience. Conversely, the more you adhere to the wisdom of the world the less of it you will experience.

Truth Never Changes

   God does not change, neither does His Word. Be grateful for this fact. It’s important to stay the course during turbulent times. No matter what pressure society seeks to place on you to compromise, or bend the Word of God in the name of tolerance, speak the truth. It is more loving to tell it like it is, than to withhold the truth from someone destined for hell. Love warns. One way to get this wrong is to become self-righteous and use His Word to condemn people. That is not the truth, much less the Gospel.

   Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace . . .

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