While there is a new brand of atheism that seems to be gaining a measure of cultural acceptance, there is another kind of atheism that has always existed — a practical atheism that affirms the existence of God with words and denies His existence with actions.
Thomas Watson noted the existence of these unbelievers this way:
He that says there is no God is the wickedest creature that is; he is worse than a thief, for he takes away our goods, but the atheist would take away our God from us.…Psa 14:1. ‘The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.’ He durst not speak it with his tongue, but says it in his heart: he wishes it. Sure none can be speculative atheists.…Though there are few found who say, There is no God, yet many deny him in their practices. Tit 1:16. ‘In works they deny him.’…The world is full of practical atheism; most people live as if they did not believe there was a God. Durst they lie, defraud, be unclean, if they believed there were a God who would call them to account?
David (Ps. 36:1) said it this way —
Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
In the heart of the ungodly man is a deceitful and fleshly voice that speaks. And that voice suggests that there is no need to fear God. The exact message may vary — “this sin will not be discovered,” or “this action is not sin,” “you have a right to indulge this small dalliance or desire…” or “your conscience is too sensitive,” or “your friends (or parents or children) don’t know what is best for you,” or “God doesn’t want you to enjoy this pleasure — He is seeking to take something from you,” or “the Bible is not authoritative, its’ stories are helpful and interesting but not binding.” But the essence of the message is static — God cannot or will not give retribution for sin. He need not be feared.
One commentator says of this that these musings are “the sorry infatuation of the wicked.”
Unfortunately, it is worse than that. Not only will the temptation to sin speak infatuous words in the soul of a man, but those whisperings will also lead him to do virtually anything. As Spurgeon noted, “Where [the fear of God] is wanting, how can there be any piety? And if there is no piety, there must be total want of right affections.” Then, “When a man has no fear of God, he is prepared for any crime.”
Do you want to know why men act the way they do? Because they have no fear of God and because that lack of fear leads them to listen to the lying language of sin. And listening to those musings result in fatal actions. Do you want to know why the believer in Christ acts the way he does when he sins (do you want to know why you and I sin)? Because at the moment of temptation we believe that God is not to be feared — there is no consequence of sin before our eyes.
Yes, transgression speaks. What does it say? “There is no God to fear.”
Transgression speaks to the eternal condemnation and horror of the soul who listens to its foul words.
Yet even in this Psalm is the hope of redemption that comes ultimately through Christ —
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. (vv. 5-10)
Note the multiple references to the lovingkindness of God. And notice that God is a refuge and a preservationist. He offers abundant drink to those who come to receive their fill at His well (He is satisfying!). He is a light and He is faithful.
Here is the hope for both believer and unbeliever. Even when there is delusion from the temptations of sin, in God there is mercy to atone for every sin and grace to draw any man into fellowship with God.
Be warned of the consequences of sin and the lying tongue of temptation and be aware of the provision of God to provide redemption, forgiveness and righteousness to all who seek refuge in God away from their sin.
Words of Grace 