In John 8:43, Jesus asks the Pharisees, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.” This powerful statement not only challenges the Pharisees but also speaks to us today about the barriers that prevent us from fully understanding the Bible. Jesus didn’t accuse the Pharisees of lacking intellectual ability. Rather, He pointed to a deeper issue: they were unwilling to receive the truth because their hearts were hardened by sin.
Too often, people assume that they fail to understand the Bible because of their intellect. We believe that the Bible is too difficult to grasp, or that some people simply lack the mental capacity to comprehend its profound truths. However, in this passage, Jesus makes it clear that the real reason for misunderstanding the Bible isn’t a matter of intellectual ability—it’s a matter of the heart. Sin, not intellect, clouds our understanding.
The Role of Sin in Our Understanding of Scripture
The Pharisees were experts in the law. They had studied Scripture for years and could recite it from memory. Yet, despite their knowledge, they were unable to recognize Jesus for who He truly was—the Messiah, the Son of God. Why? Because they were unwilling to accept the truth that Jesus was proclaiming. Their hearts were filled with pride, self-righteousness, and a deep love for their own traditions. These attitudes made it impossible for them to bear the words of Jesus.
Similarly, we all face the challenge of sin affecting our understanding of God’s word. Sin doesn’t just lead us to moral failures—it also affects the way we see and hear God’s truth. Sin hardens our hearts, causing us to resist or distort what God is trying to teach us. Whether it’s pride, unforgiveness, or a love for the things of this world, sin stands as a barrier between us and a true understanding of the Bible.
God Wants Us to Understand His Word
The good news is that God desires for us to understand His word. He doesn’t hide the truth from us or make it impossible to comprehend. On the contrary, He wants us to know Jesus intimately, and to do so, we must understand the Bible. The Bible is God’s revealed truth to us, and it is through it that we come to know Christ and the salvation He offers.
If we truly believe that God is good and generous, we must trust that He has made His word accessible to us. As the psalmist declares, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). God isn’t trying to withhold wisdom from us—He wants us to understand, to grow in knowledge of Him, and to experience the life-changing power of His truth.
Overcoming the Barrier of Sin
So, how do we overcome the barrier of sin that prevents us from understanding the Bible? The answer is simple: repentance and prayer. Before we open the Bible, we must first open our hearts to God. We need to repent of any sin that is clouding our understanding and hindering our ability to hear His voice. Repentance isn’t just about confessing our actions; it’s about surrendering our hearts to God and asking Him to purify us from any attitudes or desires that are keeping us from receiving His word.
Once we have repented, we should pray for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures to us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26), and He is the one who enables us to understand the deep things of God. When we approach the Bible with a humble heart and a willingness to learn, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.
A Word of Encouragement
If you find yourself struggling to understand the Bible, don’t be discouraged. You’re not alone. Many believers have been there, and even the Apostle Paul acknowledged that “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). But remember, this struggle is not because you’re lacking intellect or capability—it’s because sin, whether in the form of pride, distraction, or indifference, can cloud our understanding.
Be encouraged to approach the Bible with a heart of repentance and prayer. Ask God to reveal His truth to you. Open your heart to Him, and He will open your mind to His word. God doesn’t want you to stay in the dark about His will. He desires that you understand His word so that you can know Jesus more deeply and walk in His ways.
As you read the Bible, let the words of Jesus in John 8:43 resonate in your heart. Don’t let sin be the reason you fail to understand His word. Instead, repent, pray, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth. When you do, you will find that the Bible is not a mystery to be solved but a life-giving message to be embraced.
Conclusion
Understanding the Bible is not about intellectual ability—it’s about the condition of our hearts. Sin can cloud our understanding, but God, in His goodness, wants to reveal His truth to us. By repenting of sin and praying for God’s help, we can open our hearts to receive His word. God desires for us to know Jesus and to understand the truth that sets us free. Let us approach the Bible with humility, ready to hear from Him and be transformed by His word.
