“When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the way side.” (Mat 13:19) “And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15) “Those by the wayside are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” (Luke 8:12)
Whenever you hear the Word of God or any word God speaks to you, Satan comes immediately to steal that word. Commonly this is done by distraction so subtle that most of the time you don’t even realize what happened. You were reading the Scripture and then the next thing you know, you are at the end of the chapter and you have no idea what you just read. While reading, your mind was flooded with suddenly important reminders of what you must do that day or perhaps an unresolved argument from the night before.
The devil comes to steal that word because he is afraid you might actually believe what you read, gain faith and thus be saved from your trial. If he can’t distract you, he will attempt to confuse you and block your understanding of the word. This is not my theory, but rather what Jesus taught. Understand this that Satan can’t physically stop you from picking up the Bible and reading, but he will try to distract you, confuse you or make you not understand what you just read.
When you find this happening, stop reading for a moment, ask the Great Teacher, the Holy Spirit to help you and declare out loud if necessary, that today you will read and you will hear and you will understand the Holy Word of God. Further, you will not be a forgetful hearer, but rather an obedient hearer who not only hears, but does what the Word instructs. Let faith arise and give the devil an aneurism today!