A 2012 Pew Research study in the U.S. stated that the percentage of Americans who followed no religion - either atheists, agnostics, or humanists, stood at about 20%. In the age group of 18-29, (Millennials) the percentage was at about 33%. While some countries are more religious, other countries have rates as high as 90% who follow no religion. What does the Bible say about this? In Psalm 14 we read about those who do not believe in God. Let’s see what God said through the pen of King David.
Right from the start, King David pulls no punches and states quite unequivocally that one who states that there is no God is a fool (vs 1). To not believe in God is both foolish and wicked (vs 1-3). They are foolish to not acknowledge or to ignore the many evidences of God in the world. They are wicked because they refuse to live by God’s truths. These people are strongly in defiance against God, speaking foolishly and boldly against Him.
Our psalm continues on to proclaim that no one is sinless (vs. 3). The Apostle Paul quotes from this psalm in his letter to the Romans. Both David and Paul state that we all stand guilty before God (Romans 3:23). The whole human race has turned away from God (Romans 3:10-12). No matter how many “good deeds” we may perform we cannot boast before God and His standards. God is an absolute holy and pure God, and when we try to measure up to His holy standards, we fall dreadfully short. In His sight all of our so-called righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Because we fall short, we must turn to Jesus to save us (Romans 10:9-10). When we have called upon Jesus as our Savior, we become a member of God’s family. In our psalm God says He is in the company of the righteous (vs 5). David warns that those who attack believers may be attacking God, as well. That is something which is very foolish!
In our psalm David makes a clear distinction between those who worship God and those who refuse to worship Him. Can others see a difference in us? Do our actions, our speech, and our behavior show which side we are on? Some who say there is no God, may never pick up a Bible to read its saving message. They may never come near a church to hear the Gospel of Jesus, nor listen to a salvation message on TV or the radio. The only “Bible” they will ever see or “read” is our life and testimony. Are we being a light for the Lord Jesus by how we live?
A preacher I once knew said that Christians can be “practical atheists”. When questioned further as to what he meant, he said that a believer can be just like an atheist if they won’t believe that God will answer prayers, and won’t take care of them. If they are living in worry and fear they are just like an atheist. Believers become just like atheists in practice when we rely more on ourselves than on God. Let’s be sure that if we proclaim that we believe in God, and have put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, that we aren’t being that “practical atheist”, not truly having faith that God is who He says in His Word that He is. Let’s be sure that we are not fools!
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