One of the greatest insults you could throw at a Christian is to say that they are atheists.  Not that we should treat atheists with less respect, love or understanding than anyone else we meet, but to question a person's basic belief in God who professes their belief is downright insulting.  So it may be surprising how the word of God defines atheism in Psalms 14:1-3.

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.  The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.  They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, no, not one.

The atheism mentioned in this Pslam originates from a heart that does evil instead of good, a person that does not seek God, and a heart that has become corrupt. So who does that describe? At one time, all of us! Denial of God's existence, according to Psalms, is connected to willful sinning and a life that is lived outside of God's will and direction. When we became sinners, we made a decision to live without God by forging our own way, and though we might have believed in God we attempted to live without him by rebelling against him. We became enemies of God and only through the blood of Jesus were we able to find redemption from our sins.  Atheism is living outside of a belief that God is our ultimate authority and that we should honor and follow him in all we do.  Regardless of what we say, it is what we DO that ultimately demonstrates our faith and belief in God.

And how do we live without this a-theistic live, since we were all once sinners? Paul tells us in Romans 3:23-24: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  By grace and redemption we can choose to live in Christ instead of sin, so that we will never deny God and his presence inour lives again by becoming enslaved once more to sin.

So remember where atheism begins, in the heart and in a life lived outside of God's will.  May we never be found to live against the will and guidance of God, but glorify God so that all will know that God is near, and that he calls all people to return and serve him for all times.

God bless you this week,

Michael