Matthew 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Deuteronomy 29:3-4 the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.
Isaiah 44:18 They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.
Ezekiel 12:2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.
Hebrews 5:11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
The way Jesus used parables prompted the disciples to ask this. Apparently, Jesus’ use of parables wasn’t as easy as simple illustrations of spiritual truth. Jesus explained that He used parables so that the hearts of those rejecting would not be hardened further. In this sense, the parables of Jesus were not illustrations making difficult things clear to all. They presented God’s message so the spiritually sensitive could understand, but the hardened would merely hear a story without heaping up additional condemnation for rejecting God’s Word. The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay, and so the very same gospel message that humbles the honest heart and leads to repentance may also harden the heart of the dishonest listener and confirm that one in their path of disobedience. (Guzik)
“The parable conceals the truth from those who are either too lazy to think or too blinded by prejudice to see. It puts the responsibility fairly and squarely on the individual. It reveals truth to him who desires truth; it conceals truth from him who does not wish to see the truth.” (Barclay)
The idea is that for those who are open and sensitive to spiritual truth more will be given. Yet to those who are not open – who do not have, these ones will end up in an even worse condition. We are always gaining or losing the love, purpose, and application of God’s Word in our lives. Weakness, like strength, is ever increasing in our lives. Neglect and complacency to God’s Word in our lives – stagnation- will result in weakness of God’s Word and the power, strength, courage, hope, and purpose it should give us to face every day. We become weaker and weaker to things of God. The quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit into our lives to light our path for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ is snuffed out. Spending little to no time in His Word and giving no thought to it weakens our resolve and purpose. It will result in eyes that no longer see or ears that hear. In this deafness and blindness to things of God, we will be influenced by things of this world that have no honor and glory for or to Jesus Christ.
Obviously, there are Scriptures in God’s Word that are hard to understand. Not everything is understood immediately when we are born again. That is in agreement with God’s Word in Isaiah – For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. The problem is when we stop reading and searching God’s Word – when we stop hungering and thirsting for it. Intentionally choose to commit to spending time in His Word – think about it – seek to understand and apply it – talk about it – allow it a place in your mind and daily lives – feed on it – drink it in – allow the things of this world to become dimmer and dimmer and the things of God to become brighter and brighter. You will be blessed as your life’s purpose ever increases its honor and glory to Jesus Christ.