Based on Acts 28:11-31 (New King James Version)
“After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: ‘Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.’ Then they said to him, ‘We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.’ So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: ‘The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say: ‘Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ ’ ‘Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!’ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Is it difficult to understand the things of God? Is a great education really necessary to be able to understand God's will? The Jewish leaders to whom Paul spoke had no learning problems or lack of education. On the contrary, they were very intelligent people, well-educated with all the knowledge of their language, with a full understanding of the law and all human knowledge. They could even recite the Law of Moses by heart. So, they were exceedingly capable people. So, for them, it wasn't a problem of lack of understanding or education. Their issue was something else, just as it is for the vast majority of people who have problems with the things of God. So, the answer is: no, the things of God are not difficult to understand but, on the contrary, very simple, and neither great intellect nor great education is required. In reality, the things of God are very simple, so much so that even a child can understand them. This is what the Word says: “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16.
So, what's the problem? What determines whether or not a person can understand the things of God? Could it be the enemy, the devil? Throughout the Bible, we can clearly see that the enemy can affect us in certain ways such as through temptation, trying to provoke us to sin, trying to deceive us, confusing us, and inspiring fear and doubt. But we understand that these things are external, things that are not within us. So, he can try to influence, but, ultimately, he can never force someone or coerce someone into doing something, much less take away our power of choice or free will. Ultimately, he cannot have power over us, even when a person is empty, without Christ. One might say: What about a person who is demon-possessed? The only way a demon can take possession of a person is through some kind of dealing with the occult. And of course, the moment a person is exposed to that world out of their own free will, whether for experimentation, or curiosity, or because of their parents (like what happened with the young man who suffered from a young age), they do lose their free will, but again, because at some point they voluntarily opened their life to that evil or were exposed to that evil. That's why we must be very careful and distance ourselves from things that lower our physical defenses, and even worse, our spiritual defenses (even speaking to the unsaved), because when a person gets involved with things that make them vulnerable, like drugs and alcohol, as examples, they are entering the occult world. Anything that alters our senses makes a person vulnerable to evil, and the Bible refers to this as witchcraft (this is not an opinion; it is what is written).
So, what is it then that makes man unable to understand, or rather, choose to reject, the things of God? Evil is within themselves, their own sin, the lust that is contained within their flesh and heart. This is what the Word says: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:13-15. The real problem, man's worst enemy, is their own person. This is what hinders them and makes the simple difficult, and the easy to understand incomprehensible. This is also what the Word says: “And He said, ‘What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.’” Mark 7:20-23. So, the issue is not a matter of not being able to understand God, but rather, of not wanting to accept God. And there simply is not such acceptance because there are things that a person does not want to bring to light or let go of, but instead, makes the conscious and voluntary decision to reject the Lord and His Truth. Ultimately, the person who desires to be saved will simply believe, obey, and follow Christ when they accept the Gospel as truth. Those who neither believe nor obey God simply do not want to do so. And so, do you truly desire to attain God's salvation for eternal life, or are you stuck in other pursuits where you will only find eternal damnation? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!