They Only See What They Want to See” — Why We Must Never Lose Hope

[Hubi]

“They Only See What They Want to See” — Why We Must Never Lose Hope

Dear brothers and sisters,

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone that you were deeply convinced of, only to feel that your words simply bounced right off?

Perhaps you prepared carefully.

You prayed.

You selected meaningful Bible verses.

You did your very best to be kind, understanding, and respectful.

And yet...

The other person seemed to listen—but in reality, they weren't really listening at all.

Their viewpoint already seemed fixed.

Their mind had long been made up.

At moments like that, we may find ourselves thinking:

“They only see what they want to see.”

And that can be deeply discouraging.

Not because we want to prove that we're right.

But because we know what is truly at stake.

Everyone Looks Through Their Own Lens

Imagine someone wearing a pair of glasses with very dark lenses.

To that person, the whole world appears gloomy.

You could tell them a hundred times that the sun is shining outside.

You could show them beautiful pictures.

You could describe the bright blue sky.

But as long as they refuse to take off those glasses, nothing will change for them.

In many ways, that's what happens spiritually.

Many people have adopted a way of thinking that leaves no room for God.

Everything must be scientifically proven.

Everything must have an immediate explanation.

Everything must fit within their own understanding of the world.

As a result, there's often no place left for God.

The Bible explains this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, where it says that the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.

That helps us understand a great deal.

Not everyone deliberately rejects Jehovah.

Many simply can no longer recognize him.

It's Hard When Our Words Seem Forgotten

Perhaps you've experienced this yourself.

You've patiently explained something several times.

You've shared Bible verses.

You've answered sincere questions.

You've willingly given your time.

And only a short while later, it seems as though everything has been forgotten.

Sometimes we may wonder:

“Did I accomplish anything at all?”

The prophet Jeremiah must have felt something similar.

For decades he warned his people.

Again...

and again...

and again.

With patience.

With love.

With tears.

Yet most of them simply refused to listen.

Not because Jeremiah spoke poorly.

But because they did not want to listen.

That must have hurt deeply.

And sometimes we feel exactly the same today.

Armageddon Is Not a Threat—It Is a Loving Warning

We do not speak about Armageddon because we want to frighten people.

We speak about it because Jehovah wants every person to be saved.

He doesn't want anyone to be caught by surprise.

That is why today a worldwide warning is being given.

Every person has the opportunity to hear.

And yet many still say,

"That will never happen."

"I don't believe that."

"People have been saying that for centuries."

But just imagine for a moment:

What will it be like when Jehovah's day suddenly begins?

How many people will wish they had listened more seriously?

Perhaps some will think:

“If only we had paid attention...”

That thought is heartbreaking.

Not because we want to be proven right.

But because we know that by then, it will be too late.

Sometimes All That's Missing Is a Different Perspective

Often, it doesn't take more evidence.

It doesn't take more arguments.

Sometimes all that's needed is a different perspective.

When someone reads the Bible with an open and honest heart, many things suddenly begin to make sense.

Why is there suffering?

Why hasn't God acted yet?

Why is Jehovah allowing more time?

Why are Jehovah's servants preaching throughout the entire world?

Suddenly, a much bigger picture begins to appear.

It's like putting together a puzzle.

One single piece doesn't reveal very much.

But once all the pieces come together, the beautiful picture becomes clear.

The Bible is very much like that.

One verse rarely answers every question.

But the Bible as a whole reveals Jehovah's wonderful purpose.

Something Else Is Truly Sad

Sometimes we even hear people who call themselves Christians say,

"Everyone should simply follow their own path."

"Everyone has their own truth."

Those statements make us stop and think.

Because Jesus never said,

"Everyone will somehow find the right way."

He said,

“I am the way.”

Truth doesn't exist in many different versions.

Jehovah has lovingly given us the truth in his Word.

That is why it is worth searching for.

The Devil Doesn't Usually Work Through Force—But Through Distraction

Satan often doesn't have to convince people that God doesn't exist.

It is enough if he keeps them constantly distracted.

Work.

Cell phones.

Television.

Careers.

Entertainment.

Problems.

Worries.

A schedule that is always full.

Eventually, people have no time left to think about life's most important questions.

And that is exactly what Satan wants.

Not hatred toward God.

But indifference.

Because indifference can be just as dangerous.

Yet We Must Never Lose Hope

Now we come to the most encouraging thought of all.

We never truly know what is happening inside another person's heart.

Perhaps our conversation seems to have no effect today.

Maybe not tomorrow either.

Perhaps not for another five years.

Or maybe not until life suddenly shakes that person's world.

Then perhaps they will remember one Bible verse.

One sentence.

One kind conversation.

And that one memory may lead them back to Jehovah.

How many brothers and sisters have later said,

**“Back then I wasn't listening.

But I never forgot.”**

Jehovah has the ability to bring those memories back to life.

That is why every effort is worthwhile.

There Are Still Many Good People

Sometimes we may wonder,

“Are there really any people left with good hearts?”

The answer is a definite yes.

Jesus spoke about those who have the right heart condition.

They do exist.

Perhaps we'll meet one tomorrow.

Perhaps at the very next house.

Perhaps in the supermarket.

Perhaps at work.

Perhaps it will be the very person we least expected.

Jehovah already knows who those people are.

And very often, he guides us right to them.

Conclusion

So let us never become bitter.

Never give up.

Never allow our hearts to grow hard.

Never think,

“It's pointless.”

Because Jehovah sees what we cannot see.

He sees every heart.

Our responsibility is not to change people.

Our responsibility is to show love.

To explain.

To be patient.

To keep sowing the seed.

Jehovah is the one who makes it grow.

And perhaps one day someone will say,

“I'm so grateful you didn't give up on me back then.”

That alone would make every effort worthwhile.

So let us continue preaching with compassion, patience, and hope.

Not because everyone will listen.

But because everyone deserves the opportunity to come to know Jehovah.

And as long as Jehovah continues to show patience, we want to reflect that same patience ourselves.

Because somewhere out there, there are still sincere people with good hearts.

And perhaps one of them is already waiting today for the message that only we can bring.

[Nnaemeka]

Thanks. I think that was covered maybe implicitly or explicitly at one of the convention symposia. What you just added was: maybe when the seeds didn't bear fruit either we didn't realize the soil it was battling with, or the seed didn't realize it itself or the soil was too challenging for the seed. Those 3 can change maybe in the future when the conditions change. Thanks 🙏 

[minister159]

Leonardo Da Vinci is quoted as saying, "“There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.”

 

Simon and Garfunkle are quoted as saying in the song, "The Boxer," "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."

 

Jesus said, "And the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in their case. It says: ‘You will indeed hear but by no means get the sense of it, and you will indeed look but by no means see.  For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them." --- Matthew 13:14, 15

[jwhess]

As we learned in the Sermon on the Mount, a person’s light in their body may really be great darkness.

Mat 6:23…”But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!”

Edited 1 hour ago by jwhess