The context of our title for this article is from the following quote of our Savior Jesus Christ: “Then said Jesus to those
Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.  They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any
man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin.  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  If the
Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me,
because my word hath no place in you.  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have
seen with your father.  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were
Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the
truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be
not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love
me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.  Why do ye not understand
my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe
me not” (John 8:31-45).

      As you read this context you can see that Jesus was very plain in speech.  Jesus was not a teacher who could be easily
misunderstood.  He spoke the truth in simplicity (cf. II Corinthians 11:3) with authority unlike the teachers of His day (Matthew
7:28-29).  We find the same problems today that Jesus had.  Some simply cannot understand plain teaching.  Say it twice or
three times, many still will not understand plain speech!


      As Jesus passed by a certain fellow who was blind from birth (John 9:1), He took the opportunity to heal that young man
(John 9:6-7).  The purpose of such miracles was to allow for the teaching of the Gospel (Mark 16:15-20 and John 9:3-5).  
After this blind man was healed many had questions as to how (John 9:8-10).  In this context there is an example that is
fascinating: “But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they
called the parents of him that had received his sight.  And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was
born blind? how then doth he now see?  His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he
was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of
age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.  These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews
had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.  Therefore
said his parents, He is of age; ask him.  Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God
the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.  He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one
thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.  Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he
thine eyes?  He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again?
will ye also be his disciples” (John 9:18-27)?

      As we see in the above example, some people can hear the truth over and over again without ever acknowledging it.  Why
one would not accept those things which can save the soul is beyond my imagination (James1:21).  Peter quoted Moses who
was talking about Jesus saying this: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.  And it shall
come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:22-
23).  Just to be clear, the words of Christ are far more than those found in red letters in some published translation.  The New
Testament is entirely the words of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2; cf. John 14:26; 16:13).  The Gospel, as we often call the words of
our Lord, must be obeyed (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).  Considering that the New Testament is the words of Christ.  Considering
that those words will judge us (John 12:48).  Remembering that Moses said those who will not hear those words will be
destroyed.  How can anyone not listen to Christ?  Again, this too is beyond my imagination.  


      Some want to divorce their mates for many reasons.  Why not accept that God is never pleased with divorces and only
allows one exception to the rule of no lawful causes for divorce – fornication (Matthew 19:3-9)?  Some want to use the Lord’
s money to feed and clothe the children of the devil (I John 3:8).  They fail to see that God does not even allow us to use His
money to feed and clothe many of His own children (II Thessalonians 3:10 and I Timothy 5:3-16), let alone those whom He
will not even hear the request of (Isaiah 59:1-2, John 9:31, and I Peter 3:12).  Now folks, since when did it ever make sense to
give someone’s money to a person they won’t even hear the request of and whom He plainly declares He hates (Psalms 5:5;
11:5 and Hebrews 1:8-9)?  Some want to be saved by faith alone, when the Lord plainly declares such is impossible (James 2:
14-26).  Some want to give the Lord half of their lives when Jesus plainly declared He wants all of your life (Matthew 16:24-
25 and Luke 14:26-33).  

      The Holy Spirit has searched the mind of God and has revealed the things God wants us to know (I Corinthians 2:9-13).  
Why therefore, do so many people practice those things they cannot find in His word?  How many times have we screamed
from the housetops “we need book, chapter, and verse” for all that we say and do” (Colossians 3:17 and I Peter 4:11)?  Isn’t
it about time that we practice what we scream at others?  If you cannot read it, if it hasn’t been revealed, then God does not
want us to know it!  Why can’t so many understand that point?  The answer is simple, they cannot understand what they won’t
hear!
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XI   ~   December 9th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
“Why Do Ye Not Understand My Speech?”
By: Brian A. Yeager
How Many Times Do Some Have to Hear It?
Conclusion