26/05/11

Why people do not understand the Bible

Acts 28:25-27
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,
26 saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.



There are people who have read the Bible and who discuss the Bible many a times. They would point out all the so called contradictions and faults according to them. They even go to the extent to read other books of all the other religions and dig deep into history but will never make an attempt to really understand the Bible.

Just some moments back I was read a message for someone trying to find out why we do not follow laws like not to eat pig but then also accuses Christianity of being a violent religion because we have laws in the Old Testament instructing us to kill pagans which we also do not follow.

In today's message Paul says these people if they want can get to understand the instructions which the Lord has given through His Word but even though they make a show of reading and hearing yet they shut their hearts and do not listen to what the Lord speaks to them. They do this for only one reason, they know if they listen to the Word it will cause them to change. Every person who reads the Bible knows it has the power to change a person and most do not want to change because they love this world and things of this world. They love sin and their sinful nature, lust of things of this world; they love pride, worldly glory, etc...

The Bible is like a huge iron treasure box which holds immense priceless treasures but is locked. The New Testament is like a peep hole into this treasure box. People of this world look at the iron box and comment on the rust, size, weight of the box, age, history etc. Some would even peek into the peek hole and have a glimpse of the treasure but would prefer to believe that the little they could see is all that this box holds. But most would not want to open this box for all know the only want to unlock this box is the key which we can receive through Jesus Christ. They also know to receive this treasure they would have to off load all the worthless things they are carrying on themselves. They being in love with these worthless things so much that they are willing to lose their lives but not lose them.

It is very simple, if anyone wants to know God and the Kingdom of God must first make up his or her mind to receive Jesus Christ and be ready to change. They should be willing to lose everything that they carry on themselves so that they can receive the most precious and priceless things that ever exist.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are God and You have created all things that exist. Although You created this world your Kingdom is not of this world. Man has corrupted this world through the worms of Satan. This world will all one day end and all things within it will be vanity. Even though Satan himself knows this yet he does not change for his heart is hard. His children too have hardened their hearts but closing their spiritual eyes and shutting their spiritual ears to your Word of life. Lord, with the authority You have given us we rebuke the deaf and dumb spirit which holds on to your children and command their spiritual eyes to see and ears to listen so that they come to know You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripturesr ]
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by [listening] the word of God.

Hebrew 4:2-3
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

John 3:3-16
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others.
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