Denying God Leads to Redefining Good

by

David dismayed the effects that atheism has on a person and on a society. People often deny the reality of God so that they can redefine the commandments of God.

  • Atheist– believes there is “no God”
  • Agnostic– believes there is “no knowledge” to determine if God exists
  • Practical Atheist– denies God with a careless lifestyle

Psalm 14

14 The fool says in his heart, â€śThere is no God.”
    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
    there is none who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand,
    who seek after God.

3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
    there is none who does good,
    not even one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
    who eat up my people as they eat bread
    and do not call upon the Lord?

5 There they are in great terror,
    for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor,
    but the Lord is his refuge.

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

The Atheist Doesn’t Seek God [Ps. 14:1-3]

  • “Fool” doesn’t mean one who is mentally lacking but one who is morally deficient (14:1).
  • The soul unable to believe in God’s existence is unable to live according to God’s righteousness (14:1).
  • If I deny the One who is good, I cannot do good (14:1).
  • Sin is our reckless attempt to live as if there is no God (14:2-3).

God Still Seeks the Atheist [Ps. 14:4-7]

  • Resisting God eventually leads to persecuting God’s people (14:4).
  • Atheists seek to ease their consciences by silencing believers through frantic, antagonistic efforts (14:5).
  • The perseverance of believers is a final reminder to atheists that God exists, and He keeps those who belong to Him (14:6).
  • While atheists refuse to seek God, He still pursues them (14:7).
  • We were all practical atheists before God sought us (14:1, 5).
  • Jesus is the salvation that comes down from Zion (14:7).

Next Step: Do you have an intellectual or practical atheist for whom you are praying and preparing will receive the gospel?