Read Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart… But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:19, 23)

There are not many biblical concepts as under-emphasized as that of understanding God's Word, both in principle and in practice. Time and history have proven that when the understanding of God's Word declines so, too, do the people of God and all of society with it. But when the understanding of God's Word increases and is magnified, revival among the people of God is not far behind, and lost souls are enlightened by the knowledge of salvation.

Through the parable of the sower, Jesus brings our utmost attention to the critical importance of this very thing. The understanding of God's Word is tantamount to anything and foundational for everything. Those who understand the Word bear fruit a hundredfold, but those who do not understand the Word, the wicked one comes and snatches away the seed that was sown in their heart.

Thus, we see the singular difference between the fruitful, thriving Christian and the unplanted, dead Christian: understanding the Word.

Understanding the Word is what bears fruit. Not understanding the Word is what gives Satan a foothold. What a difference!

Therefore the goal for every occasion that we crack open the Holy Scriptures should be to understand it! And to further understand God Himself!

Just listen to King Solomon's exhortation throughout the Proverbs:

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin” (Proverbs 7:4)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Do you see it?

The goal for every occasion in the Word must be to understand! Look at how much is at stake if we don’t! Oh! — if God's people would make this their daily goal how more would they thrive and how much less would Satan be effective! Think of how much more godly conviction would be among the church! Marriages, families, and ministries would flourish. Joy, freedom, and victory would be commonplace!

Just the same, the weight of this responsibility is not only upon you, Beloved, but upon your pastors. Are you being fed the understanding of God's Word by your shepherd? Are you feeding along the green pastures of knowledge and comprehension in the Scriptures? Hold your pastors accountable to the exposition of the Scriptures. You must! Even as Ezra and the Levites helped the people understand the Word and give the sense of it, which birthed a nationwide revival among Israel, so, too, must every pastor make it his aim to do the same (see Colossians 4:4).

“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)

When the pulpit magnifies the understanding of the Word, the people of God are lifted up with it. But when the pulpit spews gibberish and lack clarity, how quickly are the people of God left to the mercy of the devil in what he chooses to snatch away.

Therefore, dear church, I would exhort you as King Solomon did: "In all your getting, get understanding of God's Word!" Don't just read the Word, but seek to understand it. Don't just go to church, but go to understand the Word. The very fruitfulness of your life in Christ depends on it!

“…Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)