Ephesians 4:17....

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,because of the blindness of their heart. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.But ye have not so learned Christ,if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by Him,as the truth is in Jesus,that ye put off the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Seeds cannot grow on callous ground. This is a basic truth in gardening. The soil needs to be moist and soft before anything can be planted and take root to grow. A harvest only happens when the conditions are right for planting. The soil represents our heart in the kingdom of God. (Mark 4). The heart can be soft and good, or hard and rocky. The word of God sown unto good soil will result in a harvest of salvation. The word of God sown unto the rocky ground will be choked and not produce anything. This illustrates the importance of the condition of our hearts when hearing the gospel. We cannot afford to listen with a hardened heart. We can see in Ephesians 4 , exactly what happens. You have to look closely; it says that the hardness of their heart is what leads to a darkened understanding, and futility of their minds. Then it says the old man was corrupt and deluded by its lusts, but to be renewed in the spirit of your new mind in Christ.

This uncovers the mystery of why some seemingly intelligent and well educated people cannot seem to understand the gospel. They seem to excel and thrive in other areas of their life, but claim to have no understanding of the word of God or the message of the gospel. It really all begins with the hardness of their heart toward God and that keeps their understanding darkened. Their mind is futile and deluded. They really don't want God, if they did, he would open the windows of heaven for them and renew their old, corrupt, mind to understand.

Romans 1:21....

"Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not , as God, neither were they thankful,but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

So then we can see that spiritual understanding begins in the heart, not in the mind. But the mind is either renewed or darkness will remain. All we need is a simple, soft heart of the inner man to come to know the things of the kingdom of God. We will never need more education or a fancy degree, or a great mind to come to God. Those things can be good but never necessary to come to God. Aren't you glad? I sure am.