INTRODUCTION

1. It is the heart of a man that determines who he really is.

   1. Paul applied this principle to the Jews in Romans 2:29:

      But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

      1. The Jews were required by Abraham's covenant and Moses' Law to be circumcised in the flesh, but such circumcision was useless if their hearts were far from God.

      2. For Jews who transgressed the Law, their circumcision became uncircumcision (Rom. 2:25).  In other words, because their hearts turned away from God and they sinned, it was as if they were not Jews at all (see also 1Cor. 7:19).

   2. This principle is also expressed in Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV), which says,

      For as he thinks in his heart, so [is] he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

   3. For this reason, God judges a man by his heart.  He says, "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1Sam. 16:7).

2. The condition of the heart determines whether a man serves God, and a man's deeds reveal his heart.

   1. For example, the Pharisees and scribes revealed their hearts by elevating their own traditions above the word of God.  To them, Jesus said in Matthew 15:7-9:

      ⁷"You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: ⁸'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.  ⁹but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"

   2. Likewise, all of us reveal our hearts by our deeds.  Jesus said, "So then, you will know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:20).  What do our fruits say about our hearts?

3. Presently, let us consider the inward confession of the heart that is made by every sinner. Let us also consider their foolish deeds, which make their silent confession evident to the world.

    

THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART, "THERE IS NO GOD."

1. Every sinner is a fool who has denied God in his heart.

   1. Psalm 14:1 (also Psalm 53:1) is often cited by Christians in reference to atheists, but this passage is actually describing every person who sins against God.  Notice Psalm 14:1-3:

      ¹The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.  ²The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.  ³They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

      1. Avowed atheists openly confess with their mouths that they do not believe in God.

      2. However, this passage describes those whose hearts silently harbor disbelief.  They may never say aloud that there is no God, but their deeds expose their rejection of God.

      3. This passage is quoted in Romans 3:10-18, and it leads up to this conclusion in Romans 3:23:

         For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

   2. Because all of us have sinned, all of us have played the fool and said in our hearts, "There is no God."  Every time we sin, we say this in our hearts again.

2. Wisdom and foolishness are defined by man's disposition toward God.

   1. Notice the contrast in Proverbs 1:7:

      The fear of the Lordis the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

   2. Truly, it is the fear of God that is the dividing line between the wise and the foolish.  Therefore, we can define wisdom and foolishness as follows:

      1. Wisdom is applied fear of God.  Consider these passages:

         1. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -- ¹³The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  ¹⁴For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

         2. Psalm 111:10 -- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

         3. Proverbs 9:10 -- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

      2. Foolishness is applied unbelief of God.  Notice that all of a wicked man's thoughts are summarized as the confession of a fool's heart (Ps. 14:1) in Psalm 10:4:

         The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.  All his thoughts are, "There is no God."

          

FOOLISHNESS IS PRACTICAL UNBELIEF

1. Every foolish sinner is practicing unbelief.

   1. True believers in God must be doers of His word (Matt. 7:21-27; Jas. 1:22-25).  Those who are not doers of His word do not believe God, and their sin is the proof of their unbelief.

   2. Mere words to not change this fact.  Simply claiming to believe in God does not make one a believer if his deeds prove otherwise.  Consider Titus 1:16:

      They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

2. Scripture is replete with warnings and examples of the foolishness that results from unbelief.

   1. The Gentiles' descent into corruption began with a foolish rejection of the true God.  Notice Romans 1:21-23:

      ²¹For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  ²²Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

   2. In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), the rich man was called a fool because he had laid up treasure for himself and was not rich toward God.  There is no indication that he ever disavowed God verbally, but his unbelief was expressed by his reliance of earthly wealth.

   3. The book of Proverbs describes both foolishness and wisdom. Let us consider a few of these Proverbs with a focus on the foolishness of unbelief in action.

      1. 3:35 -- The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor.

      2. 10:18 -- He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.

      3. 10:23 -- Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

      4. 12:15 -- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

      5. 12:16 -- A fool's anger is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor.

      6. 14:9 -- Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.

      7. 14:16 -- A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.

      8. 18:6-7 -- A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows.  ⁷A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

      9. 20:3 -- Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.

      10. 21:20 -- There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

      11. 24:7 -- Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate.

      12. 28:26 -- He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.

           

CONCLUSION

1. It may seem unlikely that any Christian could ever become an atheist, but many Christians have turned away from God and become practical unbelievers.  Therefore, let us heed this warning in Hebrews 3:12:

   Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

2. Be certain that your heart is completely devoted to God, and never practice the foolishness of sin that demonstrates unbelief.