Jesus told the following:
"Do you bring in a lamp and hides it in a clay jar, or put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Therefore consider carefully how you listen.
With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them." (Mark 4:21–25, Luke 8:16–18).
God wants his word to be revealed. We don't have to hide from our unbelieving friends what God is doing in our lives. We can share it for them, see The Parable of the Sower. We have a responsibility and an obligation to God to do so. We don't have to be embarrassed for our faith, for believing in the Bible, see Fear of Man. God's word is meant to be understood and revealed. Truth is meant to be known. It's not just for the elite or the highly educated, it's for everyone. A child can understand the Scriptures, many times better than the adults, because their hearts are open
(Mar 4:23, Luke 8:18a, Proverbs 2:1–5, Isaiah 66:2b), see Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? We can take what we hear and ponder it. God's word must also be seen in how we live our lives and how we act towards others.
We must also be careful which teachers we listen to (Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18a), see Beware of false prophets in The Sermon on the Mount.
When we live our Christian lives, we can either progress or fall away, either one or the other (Mark 4:25, Luke 8:18b). It's therefore important to study the word.
For information on other parables, see Jesus' Parables.
