When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matthew 13:19
In this parable, Jesus implied that the hearer of God's word has responsibility for getting understanding of the word heard. It is in the absence of understanding, not knowledge, that the enemy has power to take away the word heard, and prevent it from entering into the heart. It is one thing for the word to enter the ears, it is entirely another thing for the word to enter the heart; yet, before the word can enter the heart, it first has to enter the ear. But after it enters the ear, for it to enter the heart, there has to be understanding. Whatever helps us to get understanding, makes the word enter the heart.
It is remarkable to know that the devil is easily able to gain access to the word heard when the hearer lacks understanding. Since this is true, it will not be surprising that the devil's central object against those who hear the word will be to discourage them from seeking understanding of what they heard, because the more number of those who hear the word without understanding, the less problem he, the devil, will have to contend with.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:23
Fruit bearing consists of both hearing and understanding the word heard. The extent of fruit borne depends on the degree of understanding of the word that one has. The more one understands the word, that greater the fruit his life will bear. No wonder the devil will do everything in his power to hinder us from seeking understanding of the word of God because he knows that the extent of our effectiveness is dependent on the extent of our understanding of the word of God.
Toni
