Why Do So Many People Struggle to Understand God?

Why Do So Many People Struggle to Understand God?
Is your heart truly open to Him?

Jesus addressed this issue directly when He explained why many people hear His words but fail to grasp their meaning:

Matthew 13:14–15 (ESV)

“Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
‘You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’”

Theological Insight: The Condition of the Heart

The key to understanding God lies not in the mere physical ability to hear or see, but in the spiritual condition of the heart. The heart here is the center of moral and spiritual perception—the seat of faith and understanding. This aligns with biblical teaching that spiritual truths are spiritually discerned:

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Thus, without a heart open to the Holy Spirit, God’s message remains hidden, like light behind closed eyes.

God Speaks to Everyone, But Few Truly Listen

God’s revelation is universal in scope—He reaches out to every person. Everyone has encountered God, either in a spiritual sense or through His providential acts (Romans 1:20). However, many do not recognize His voice or respond rightly because their hearts are hardened:

Hebrews 3:7–8 (ESV)

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

This hardness can be caused by sin, unbelief, or a refusal to surrender, which creates a spiritual barrier between God and the person.

The Voice of God and Human Response

Jesus’ own experience shows this reality:

John 12:28–30 (ESV)

“Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.”

Even when God’s voice was plainly heard, many failed to comprehend because their hearts were not prepared. Their attraction to Jesus was often motivated by miracles or personal gain rather than genuine faith (John 6:26).

True Understanding Requires a Surrendered Heart

The Bible emphasizes that God looks for those who seek Him with all their hearts:

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”

God strengthens and reveals Himself to those whose hearts are fully committed, not divided or hypocritical.

Hypocrisy vs. True Devotion

Jesus criticized those who honored God only with their lips while their hearts remained distant:

Matthew 15:7–8 (ESV)

“You hypocrites! Isaiah rightly prophesied of you when he said:
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.’”

Authentic relationship with God demands integrity—loving God sincerely, beyond outward rituals or appearances.

Application for Today

If you attend church or engage in spiritual activities merely out of routine, or for the social aspects, you may experience God’s presence superficially but lack real understanding. Genuine comprehension of God’s will comes only when your heart is truly surrendered and actively seeking Him:

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

James 4:8 (ESV)

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Let us commit to loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). When we pursue holiness and righteousness out of true devotion—not merely seeking blessings or answers—God promises to reveal Himself and heal our hearts.

May God bless you richly as you seek Him with a sincere heart.
Shalom.

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