Thank you for your good question. We read in 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

In verse 9 we learn that the way we learn most things about the world (through the eye, ear, and heart or mind) are useless in understanding the things of God. As we see in verses 10-13, God’s Word can only be understood by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in order to understand the Bible, we must have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We read in Ephesians 1:13, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (NASB). If you are serious about understanding the Bible, then you must repent of your sins and trust Christ as your Savior. The moment that you are saved, the Holy Spirit will indwell you and loves to reveal God’s Word to you. We read in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (NASB).

Returning to your question, understanding God’s Word is a special blessing from God that is reserved for those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. This principle is described by our Savior during the Sermon on the Mount. We read in Matthew 7:6, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (NASB). 1 Corinthians 2:14 (see the end of the first paragraph above) plainly describes the same principle. God’s thoughts are foolishness to unbelievers, and they are unable to understand them.

What should a believer’s attitude be toward God’s Word? Job said in Job 23:12, “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (NASB). The prophet Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Eating God’s Word is a picture of taking it into ourselves by reading and meditating on it. The result is that, like natural food, we are strengthened and become more spiritually healthy as we feed on the Bible. What a priceless gift we have in God’s Word!  (DJ)  (720.2)