Believing Like a Fool; Living Like a Fool
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!” Psalm 14:1 NLT
My pastor’s wife growing up was Marilyn Hickey. She would go from being a Sunday School teacher and pastor’s wife to becoming a nationally known Bible teacher and author. I recall a time she explained what an “agnostic” was. She said, “an agnostic by the meaning of the word is ‘one without knowledge’ and one without knowledge is an ignoramus.”
So being a well-informed teen, I tried that one out on my high school English teacher. She wasn’t amused!
David said those who declare that there is no God are fools! The Hebrew word for “fool” usually carries the concept of, “one who is morally debase.” We see an indication of that as the verse continues and says, They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!”
Someone whose lifestyle is contrary to what would be pleasing to God, finds it more convenient to try to convince themselves that God doesn’t exist. If there is no God, then I can be my own “god” and I am not accountable to anyone. They believe there actions don’t really “hurt anyone” so it becomes a convenient view of life.
There is believing like a fool and there is acting like a fool. Someone may not consider themselves as “foolish” but their action betray their heart. We see it in this psalm, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” (Psalm 14:2 NLT)
In many ways and at many times we can all “play the fool.” We can what former Senate Chaplin Richard Halverson called, act like “functional atheists.” (not the exact term) But the explanation was, “there are those who believe in God, but live their lives as if He doesn’t exist.”
The psalmist put it in these words, “No one does good, not a single one!” (Psalm 14:3 NLT) That sound a lot like what Paul would say centuries later, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
We then see the psalmist assert, “….God is with those who obey him.” (Psalm 14:5 NLT) He also declares, “….the Lord will protect his people.” (Psalm 14:6 NLT)
In contrast to being a “fool” those who are wise – learn. Those who are wise embrace the knowledge of God and live in the “fear of the Lord.” In other words, they recognize God for who He is. They understand that He, not we, are God alone. They understand that life with God provides true freedom, peace and a glorious future.
Prayer for today….. Lord help us to be wise through trusting and obeying You. Allow what we believe to be reflected through how we live.