Recognizing God: The Dangers of Practical Atheism

In this week's reflection, we delve into Psalms 13 to 18, with a particular focus on Psalm 14:1, which famously states, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This verse is often cited in discussions about atheism, but it's crucial to understand its context and implications. In David's time, everyone was religious in some form, and the concept of atheism as we know it today didn't exist. The "fool" in this context refers not to someone lacking intelligence but to someone who lives as if God is irrelevant to their life decisions—a concept known as practical atheism.

The Apostle Paul provides further insight in Romans 1:18-23, where he argues that God's existence and attributes are evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse. Paul asserts that all people inherently know God, but this knowledge is often suppressed due to unrighteousness. This suppression can manifest in various ways, such as denying God's reality, effectiveness, experiential relevance, worthiness, or even holding heretical views that distort the true nature of God.

Understanding Psalm 14:1 requires recognizing these different forms of denial. While it might be tempting to assume that everyone in David's era believed in some deity, the human heart's deceitfulness and pride suggest that some might have rejected the notion of any divine being. For us today, this passage serves as a reminder that everyone we encounter has an innate awareness of God, and we should engage with them in the hope that this awareness will lead them to embrace the biblical message of God in Christ. Denying God's existence in any form is ultimately foolish and spiritually perilous, as both David and Paul emphasize.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Practical Atheism: The fool in Psalm 14:1 is not necessarily an intellectual atheist but someone who lives as if God is irrelevant. This practical atheism is a moral and spiritual issue, where God's presence is ignored in daily life decisions. [01:18]
• 2. Innate Knowledge of God: According to Paul in Romans, all humans have an inherent knowledge of God, evident in creation. This knowledge is often suppressed due to unrighteousness, highlighting the spiritual battle within every heart. [04:43]
• 3. Forms of Suppression: Suppressing the knowledge of God can take many forms, including denying His reality, effectiveness, or relevance. Each form represents a different way of rejecting God's presence and influence in our lives. [06:47]
• 4. Universal Awareness: Despite outward appearances, everyone has an awareness of the Creator. This truth should encourage us to engage with others, trusting that God can awaken their spiritual awareness and draw them to Himself. [10:14]
• 5. The Danger of Denial: Denying God's existence, in any form, is both foolish and spiritually dangerous. Embracing God, particularly through Christ, is the path to true wisdom and life. [10:53]
  ** [10:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:11] - Introduction to Psalms 13-18
• [00:24] - Focus on Psalm 14:1
• [00:36] - Understanding the Fool
• [01:18] - Practical Atheism Explained
• [01:37] - New Testament Insights
• [02:34] - Implications of Denying God
• [03:12] - Paul's Perspective on Knowledge of God
• [04:08] - God's Revelation in Creation
• [05:16] - The Message of the Heavens
• [06:09] - Suppression of Truth
• [06:47] - Five Ways to Suppress God's Existence
• [09:17] - Historical Context of Belief
• [10:14] - Engaging with Others
• [10:53] - The Foolishness of Denial

1. What does Psalm 14:1 say about the fool's belief regarding God, and how does this relate to practical atheism? [01:18]
2. According to Romans 1:18-23, what is the truth that humanity suppresses, and how is this truth evident in creation? [03:47]
3. How does Psalm 19:1-4 describe the way creation communicates the existence and attributes of God? [04:59]
4. What are the five ways mentioned in the sermon that people suppress the knowledge of God's existence? [06:47]

1. How does the concept of practical atheism challenge the way individuals might live their daily lives, even if they profess belief in God? [01:18]
2. In what ways does the suppression of the knowledge of God, as described in Romans 1, manifest in contemporary society? [03:47]
3. How does the acknowledgment of an innate awareness of God in every person influence the way believers should engage with non-believers? [10:14]
4. What are the spiritual dangers associated with denying God's existence, as highlighted in both Psalm 14 and Romans 1? [10:53]

1. Reflect on your daily decisions. Are there areas where you might be living as if God is irrelevant, similar to the concept of practical atheism? How can you change this? [01:18]
2. Consider the ways you might suppress the knowledge of God in your life. Which of the five forms of suppression mentioned in the sermon do you relate to, and how can you address it? [06:47]
3. How can you use the understanding that everyone has an innate awareness of God to guide your conversations with those who claim not to believe in God? [10:14]
4. Think about a time when you felt the presence of God in creation. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's attributes through nature in your daily life? [04:59]
5. In what ways can you encourage others to see the evidence of God's existence in the world around them, as described in Psalm 19? [04:59]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is based on biblical truth and not distorted by heretical views? What steps can you take to deepen your theological understanding? [08:40]
7. Reflect on the statement that denying God's existence is both foolish and spiritually dangerous. How does this perspective influence your approach to faith and evangelism? [10:53]