Why Some People Hear God…. but Still Don’t Get It
A Bible Study on Understanding Truth and the Condition of Your Heart
Introduction
Have you ever noticed this?
Two people can hear the same message:
same sermon
same Scripture
same truth
But one person gets it…
And the other walks away unchanged.
Why is that?
Is it intelligence?
Is it knowledge? No.
Jesus explains in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13 verses 10–17 that:
understanding God’s truth is not just about hearing — it’s about the condition of your heart.
Not Everyone Who Hears, Understands
The disciples asked Jesus:
“Why do you speak in parables?”
They were basically saying:
“Why not just say everything clearly so everyone understands?”
Jesus’ answer reveals something deep.
He explains that:
some people hear truth, but they’re not open to receive it
That means:
they hear it
but it doesn’t change them
it doesn’t go deep
it doesn’t produce anything
Understanding Is Given to Those Who Want It
Jesus says in verse 11 that:
the secrets of the Kingdom are given to some, but not others
That doesn’t mean God is playing favorites.
It means:
God reveals truth to people who are open, hungry, and willing to change
If someone hears the Word and responds to it:
God gives more understanding
more clarity
more growth
But if someone hears truth and ignores it:
their understanding actually decreases over time
You Can Be Around Truth and Still Miss It
Jesus describes people who see… but don’t really see, hear… but don’t really understand
These were people:
watching miracles
hearing Jesus teach
being around truth constantly
But their hearts were:
hard
closed
resistant
The Real Issue Is the Heart
Jesus makes it clear:
the problem is not the message — it’s the heart receiving it
Some people don’t understand because:
they don’t want to change
they like their current lifestyle
they resist conviction
they hear but don’t apply
Over time, that leads to:
spiritual blindness
Understanding Truth Is a Blessing
Jesus then tells His disciples:
“Blessed are your eyes because they see…”
This is powerful.
Because it shows:
being able to understand God’s truth is a gift
Not everyone has that.
And it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Modern-Day Analogy:
Let’s say there are two people, Frank and Joseph and they are sitting in the same Bible study.
Both hear a message about letting go of sin and living right
Joseph hears it and thinks:
“That’s me… I need to change.”
Joseph go home, pray, and start making real adjustments.
Frank hears the same message and says:
“Man, that preacher talking about everybody else.”
Frank ignores it.
Keep doing the same things.
No change.
Same message.
Two completely different outcomes.
Why?
Joseph had an open heart… Frank didn’t.
Conclusion:
Jesus wasn’t hiding truth to be confusing.
He was revealing something deeper:
truth is received by those who are willing to receive it
You can:
hear preaching
read Scripture
sit in church
And still not grow.
Not because God isn’t speaking…
But because the heart isn’t open.
So the real question is not:
“Am I hearing the Word?”
The real question is:
“Am I receiving it and letting it change me?”
Main Takeaway:
Understanding God’s truth is not about hearing more — it’s about having a heart that is open, willing, and ready to change.
