no GodPsalm 14:1-3 – “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

The tragic irony of fools is they are often, in the estimation of themselves and their peers, men and women of superior intelligence and academic accomplishments.  Whether in practice or principle, it is the penchant of fools to decree,No God!

Why this predilection for rejecting the Creator when His handiwork is declared in His creation (Psalm 19:1)?  What is the nature of those who reject the evidences of the Creator that even a child can see and grasp by simple faith?  Those questions are answered by an examination of the fool’s wicked, depraved nature (14:1).

Psalm 14:1 – “The fool [wicked; vile; morally corrupt] hath said in his heart [mind; thoughts], There is no God [Mighty; Supreme God] . They are corrupt [corrupters; destroyers; depraved], they have done abominable [morally detestable] works [deeds; acts; i.e. shameful], there is none that doeth [makes; commits] good [pleasant; pleasing; i.e. morally good].”athiest

Whether verbalized or not, the fool’s rejection of God is a matter of the spiritual condition of his heart.  It is a mistake to reason with a fool regarding the existence of God without recognizing at the core of his decree, “No God”, is the motivation to minimize and deny his own sin and moral failings.

David identifies 3 characteristics of a fool’s nature in Psalm 14:1.  The first, the fool is corrupt”, literally morally corrupt and depraved.  I have observed those enslaved by the lust of the flesh are often bold in their rejection of the very existence of God.  Nevertheless, denying God does not make the fool less culpable for his immoral choices and sins.

The second characteristic of a fool is their abominable works.  Paul’s letter to believers living in Rome describes the abominations of sin committed by those who reject God. We read, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools… their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another…28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; condemned29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Romans 1:22-31).

The third characteristic of a fool is, “none doeth good” (14:1).  Fools may boast of their good deeds and intentions, but the reality is apart from the grace of God they are like all sinners, without any merit of righteousness.

We have seen the fool’s decree and depravity; in Psalm 14:2-3 we note his dilemma.

Psalm 14:2 – “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see [look; behold; perceive; inspect] if there were any that did understand [prudent; acted wisely], and seek [ask; consult; inquire; search] God.”

My friend, deny God if you will; however, your Creator is omniscient and He knows you!  David describes God looking down from His heavenly throne and searching out among the throng of humanity if there is one who seeks Him.  Here we see God is Just and, as He saved Lot from the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah declaring he was, in spite of his failures, a righteous man of faith (2 Peter 2:7-8), God considers the hearts of all men.

Psalm 14:3 – “They are all gone aside [departed; removed], they are all together [alike] become filthy [morally corrupt]: there is none that doeth [commit; wrought; create] good [pleasant; pleasing; i.e. morally good], no, not one.”

Sadly, we read the universality of man’s spiritual dilemma in God’s threefold condemnation:

1) All men are “gone aside (14:3a). Having rejected God, His Law and spiritual principles, sinners become apostates in principle and practice.all have sinned

2) they are all together become filthy (14:3b) – Lacking a moral basis or standard, every man does and justifies that which is right in his own eyes.  Solomon writes, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes…” (Proverbs 12:15).

3) there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (14:3c) – That is, no man in the sight of God is perfectly good.  The apostle Paul echoed that same conclusion writing, “There is none righteous, no, not one…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23).

Allow me to close with a question:  What hope is there for a poor fool who bears the weight and condemnation of his sin and rejection of God?  The answer: “Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

crossFriend, don’t play the fool! God’s grace, His unmerited favor and forgiveness of sin, is available to you through the blood of Christ who offered Himself a sacrifice and bore the penalty of your sins.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith