At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ~ Matthew 11:25
Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25 reveal a profound spiritual principle: God does not reveal His deepest truths to the proud and self-sufficient but to the humble and obedient. “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” In this, Christ affirms that divine understanding is not accessed by human intellect alone, but through a heart yielded to God. The wisdom of the world, though impressive in appearance, often stands in stark contrast to the simplicity of faith that receives truth with childlike trust (1 Corinthians 1:27–29). It is the obedient heart—the one that listens, submits, and follows—that is given eyes to see and ears to hear (Isaiah 66:2b).
Scripture consistently affirms that spiritual discernment is granted to those who walk in obedience to God’s will. The truth of God’s Word is not merely academic; it is alive and spiritually discerned (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 2:14). As one obeys what God has already revealed, more understanding is given (John 7:17). This is not a reward for performance but a fruit of genuine relationship with God. Obedience opens the heart to the voice of the Spirit, while rebellion and self-reliance close it off. Many may read the Bible, but only those who humble themselves before God and submit to His authority will truly grasp its meaning (James 1:22–25).
This principle challenges the notion that biblical knowledge is achieved through study alone. While diligent study is valuable (2 Timothy 2:15), it must be accompanied by a spirit of surrender. The Bible is not a book to be mastered intellectually but a living Word meant to master us. When believers come to Scripture with obedient hearts, they begin to see its unity, its power, and its beauty in ways the proud and skeptical never will. The Lord reveals His secrets to those who fear Him (Psalm 25:14), and that fear is expressed through loving obedience (John 14:21).
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding the Word
True understanding of the Bible is impossible without the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide His followers into all truth: “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit does not merely provide insight; He opens the eyes of the heart (Ephesians 1:17–18), making the meaning of Scripture come alive to the believer.
Paul wrote, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). This makes it clear: intellectual ability alone cannot unlock the truth of God’s Word. It is the Spirit who reveals, teaches, and reminds believers of all that Christ has said (John 14:26). The Spirit also convicts, comforts, and confirms the truth in the heart of the obedient believer (Romans 8:16).
This is why humility and dependence on the Spirit are vital in studying Scripture. A heart that resists the Spirit—whether through pride, sin, or self-will—remains blind, while a heart that walks in the Spirit receives light and understanding.
Why False Teachers Cannot Understand the True Meaning of Scripture
False teachers, regardless of how skilled they may be in speech or how impressive their theological training may appear, remain blind to the true meaning of Scripture because their hearts are not submitted to God. Scripture is spiritually discerned, and those who distort its message often do so because they lack the Spirit of God or resist His leading (2 Peter 2:1–3). Their motives are impure—driven by pride, greed, or a desire for influence—rather than a desire to glorify Christ. As a result, they twist the Word to fit their own agendas (2 Timothy 4:3–4), cutting themselves off from the true light that only comes through obedience and humility.
Jesus warned of such individuals, saying, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:39–40). The problem is not always a lack of knowledge, but a refusal to bow to Christ as Lord. Without genuine submission to Him, no amount of scriptural familiarity can lead to true understanding. They may possess the letter of the Word, but they miss its spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Therefore, false teachers remain in darkness not because God’s Word is unclear, but because their hearts are closed to the truth it proclaims. Only those who come to Christ in faith and humility—willing to obey—will have the veil lifted and the Word illuminated. Obedience is the gateway to understanding, and rebellion blocks the way.
Obedience is the Gateway to Understanding
The Hidden Things Made Known to the Lowly
Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25 reveal a profound spiritual truth:
“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”
God doesn’t reveal His deepest truths to the proud and self-sufficient, but to the humble and obedient. The wisdom of the world, though impressive on the surface, stands in sharp contrast to the simplicity of faith that receives truth with childlike trust (1 Corinthians 1:27–29). The ones who truly understand are those who listen, submit, and follow—those who come to God with soft, obedient hearts (Isaiah 66:2b).
Obedience Unlocks Understanding
Scripture shows over and over that spiritual understanding is given to those who obey God. The Bible is not just information—it is living and spiritually understood (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 2:14). When someone responds to God with obedience, He reveals more (John 7:17). Obedience doesn’t earn revelation—it opens the door to it.
But those who resist God or live for themselves close that door. Many may read the Bible, but only those who submit to God’s authority will truly grasp its meaning (James 1:22–25).
Study Must Be Joined with Surrender
While study is valuable and needed (2 Timothy 2:15), it’s not enough by itself. The Bible is not a book to be mastered intellectually—it is a Word that masters us. When believers read the Bible with surrendered hearts, they begin to see its beauty, unity, and power—something proud or skeptical minds can never fully grasp.
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him” (Psalm 25:14).
And those who love and obey Jesus are the ones to whom He reveals Himself (John 14:21).
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding the Word
No one can truly understand the Bible without the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised:
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and eyes (Ephesians 1:17–18), making God’s Word come alive. Paul said clearly:
“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God… they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Only the Spirit teaches, reminds, and reveals (John 14:26). He also comforts, convicts, and confirms the truth inside the obedient believer (Romans 8:16).
Why False Teachers Cannot Understand the Bible
False teachers may sound smart or have impressive credentials, but their hearts are not surrendered to God. Because of that, they are spiritually blind. They may know words, but not truth.
Scripture is clear: many distort God’s Word because they lack the Spirit or resist Him (2 Peter 2:1–3). They are often driven by pride, greed, or selfish desires—not a love for Christ or the truth (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
Jesus said:
“You search the Scriptures… but you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:39–40).
Paul said, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Conclusion: Truth Comes Through Obedience
God’s Word isn’t hidden because it’s too hard to understand—it’s hidden from the proud and revealed to the humble. The key to understanding Scripture isn’t intelligence. It’s obedience, humility, and the help of the Holy Spirit.
Those who come to Christ with faith and a heart ready to obey will see the truth clearly. But those who resist Him—no matter how smart they are—will remain in the dark.
Obedience opens the door. Rebellion keeps it closed.
📖 Scripture List for Study & Meditation
- Matthew 11:25
- 1 Corinthians 1:27–29
- Isaiah 66:2b
- Hebrews 4:12
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- John 7:17
- James 1:22–25
- 2 Timothy 2:15
- Psalm 25:14
- John 14:21
- John 16:13
- Ephesians 1:17–18
- John 14:26
- Romans 8:16
- 2 Peter 2:1–3
- 2 Timothy 4:3–4
- John 5:39–40
- 2 Corinthians 3:6
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