Only A Fool

Ps. 14:1  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.

There once was a rich and prosperous man named Nabal (1 Sam. 25).  He had lots of sheep and goats spread out over the countryside of Carmel.  David and his men, being in the same area, treated Nabal's shepherds well, never stole from them or harmed them.  In fact, they protected them such that Scripture says the shepherds felt as safe out in the open as if they were living in a walled city.  And Nabal knew it.  Yet when David asked Nabal to share food with them, Nabal rudely and insultingly refused.  He acted against his own knowledge, against what he knew in his heart to be right and true.  Believing there would be no consequence or judgment from anyone for his behavior.  That's what a fool does.  The name Nabal actually means "fool".  Understand the difference between an ignorant man and a fool.  An ignorant man lacks knowledge but a fool ignores it.   

Our verse from Psalms describes a sinner as a fool, one whose hardened heart causes him to act against his knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  The wickedness of sin causes him to act contrary to what he knows to be right and true.  The sinner chooses, not ignorantly but foolishly, to believe that God will not judge him for his sin.  He doesn't deny God's existence but rather chooses to ignore His dominion.  He allows his blatant, willful sinning to be that which has dominion (Ps. 19:13) over him.

We all will someday be judged (Heb. 9:27) according to our knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  In fact, Scripture tells us that His Word will reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4:12).  Our actions, that is to say our lives, should acknowledge not only His existence but His dominion over us.  Who will choose to ignore such knowledge?  Only a fool.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Acknowledge His existence and His dominion.