From the wicked – who practice unrighteousness
Have you ever tried to teach math to a student who is not interested in math? You try initially, but when you see that the student is not interested, you lose interest yourself, and finally may end up not teaching the person anymore.
A similar thing applies towards understanding God’s Word. Let me explain.
God is holy. And He wants us to be holy like Him.
1 Pet 1:15-16 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
To be holy is to be separated from sin. It is the opposite of being wicked.
The whole point of God giving us His Word is so that we may become holy. Therefore, if we are not interested in becoming holy, and instead, take pleasure in wickedness, then there is no reason for God to give us an understanding of His Word. Consider 2 Thess 2:12.
2 Thess 2:12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
Taking pleasure in wickedness is in opposition to believing the truth. That is, people who take pleasure in wickedness will not believe in the truth, but will be deceived.
The prophet Hosea says something similar.
Hos 5:4 Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the LORD.
A spirit of harlotry prevents people from knowing God. A harlot is a woman who is married to one man but enjoys intimacy with another man. Here, she is a picture of someone who attends church but who really does not want to obey God.
The wicked i.e. those who don’t want to obey God will not understand the things of God. Daniel made that very clear.
Dan 12:10 "Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Paul tried to explain this to the Corinthians.
1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
The natural man (i.e. man of the flesh (1 Cor 3:1) or the man who practices unrighteousness) cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God. Therefore, if we are to understand the Bible we must not walk in the flesh.
It is only when we turn from our iniquity (i.e. repent) that we will be able to give attention to God’s truth.
Dan 9:13 "As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth.
So then, if you enjoy doing what is wrong then there is no point trying to acquire sound doctrine. You might as well read a fiction novel, because that is what the Bible will feel like to you.
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