Growing in Understanding

Are There Truths We're Not Yet Ready to See?

By Rich Amick

Have you ever read a familiar Bible passage and suddenly noticed something you had never seen before? Or found yourself disagreeing with another Christian about the meaning of a verse?

Moments like these remind us that spiritual understanding is often a process. We grow in our understanding of God’s will over time—sometimes drawing incorrect conclusions along the way—as we study His Word, pray, obey, and mature in faith.

That realization should make us patient with ourselves and gracious toward others who may understand and apply certain passages differently. After all, even Jesus’ closest disciples did not understand everything immediately. Scripture shows that truth often comes to light progressively as God’s people are prepared to receive it.

Just hours before Jesus was betrayed, He spoke these words to His closest followers—men who had walked with Him for approximately three years:

“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time.”
(John 16:12, NASB 2020)

Since the apostles themselves were not ready to receive everything Jesus wanted to teach them, it should not surprise us that our understanding gradually unfolds in our own lives as well.

Even the Apostles Didn't Understand Everything at First

Consider this: even the disciples closest to Jesus, who had been with Him throughout His earthly ministry, still misunderstood important truths. For instance, when Jesus spoke plainly about His coming death and resurrection, Luke tells us:

“The disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.”
(Luke 18:34, NASB 2020)

Peter even attempted to correct Jesus when He spoke about His suffering and death.

The disciples were not rebellious or indifferent—they loved Jesus deeply. They recognized Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, yet they still struggled to understand certain truths. Their cultural expectations and deeply rooted theological assumptions acted as blinders, preventing them from recognizing truths Jesus had plainly revealed.

The same thing can happen to us. Our traditions, assumptions, and prior beliefs can sometimes hinder our ability to recognize what God is teaching us through His Word.

“I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able.”
(1 Corinthians 3:2, NASB 2020)

Growth toward Greater Maturity and Knowledge is a Process

Just as children grow from milk to solid food, our spiritual understanding grows over time.

Given how far removed we are from the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom, and considering the wide range of theological interpretations among sincere believers in Christ, we should remain humble enough to recognize that our own understanding may sometimes be incomplete. Like the disciples, we all approach Scripture with traditions, experiences, and assumptions that can limit what we are able to recognize.

And just as it was for the disciples, spiritual growth—and seeing truths that previously lay beyond our grasp—is a process. Sometimes, we simply do not yet have the foundation necessary to comprehend what others see. Yet it is that growing foundation that prepares us to understand more as God continues His work in us.

This growth takes place through prayer, obedience, trials, study, and time spent in God’s Word. Many believers have experienced that moment when a passage read dozens of times suddenly becomes clear. The words did not change—we did.

We are reminded of what it was like during the first century, as the Holy Spirit was actively revealing truth, before God’s redemptive plan reached its covenantal fullness:

“For we know in part and prophesy in part...”
(1 Corinthians 13:9, NASB 2020)

We can look back and know that God has revealed everything necessary for salvation and faithful Christian living. However, unless we examine the Scriptures with a Berean spirit (Acts 17:11), our understanding remains partial. That reality should cultivate humility as we continue learning and growing.

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinions.”
(Romans 14:1, NASB 2020)

Respond with Humility and Grace

The examples of the disciples, Paul’s teaching about spiritual maturity, and the principles found in Romans 14 all point to the same reality: growth in understanding takes time.

At the same time, humility does not require us to believe that every interpretation is equally valid. Scripture has an intended meaning, and believers are called to handle God’s Word carefully, prayerfully, and faithfully. The point is not that truth is unknowable, but that our grasp of it is often incomplete—sometimes flawed and continually being refined as we grow in spiritual maturity.

That truth should encourage us when we struggle to understand certain passages and humble us when discussing Scripture with others. None of us possesses perfect knowledge. We are all learning, growing, and being transformed by God’s Word.

This does not lessen the importance of pursuing truth. Rather, it reminds us to seek it with humility, recognizing that our understanding will at times need refining, just as it did for the apostles.

So continue studying. Continue praying. Continue seeking wisdom from God’s Word. And as you do, extend the same patience and grace to others that God has shown to you.

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
(2 Peter 3:18, NASB 2020)