Greetings!
Here’s a summary of the Bible study on September 1.
What is Wrong? (Psalm 14)
The last two weeks, we’ve talked about God’s creation. First, we talked about the universe, specifically “the heavens [which] declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). Then we talked about human beings – special creations of God made for a special purpose on this earth (Psalm 8).
After God created everything, he “saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). However, as we look around our world today, it doesn’t seem “very good.” In many ways, our world is a big mess! Why are there so many problems in our world today? What is wrong?
Of course, we can examine the world’s problems through the lens of the social and natural sciences, but what is the Creator’s perspective? What does the Bible say?
Something Wrong with Creation?
The Bible begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). “God created mankind in his own image… male and female he created them” (1:27, NIV). As noted above, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (1:31). There was nothing wrong with God’s original creation, including the first humans.
Something Wrong with People?
While mankind started off “very good,” things changed. After Genesis 3 (which records “the fall of mankind”), the Bible clearly and repeatedly says there is something wrong with people. As Psalm 14 says, when God “looks down from heaven on all mankind,” he sees foolishness, corruption, and evil (Psalm 14:1-6).
Psalm 14 begins, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (14:1) I’ve known many people who disbelieve or doubt the existence of a God (of some sort), but this was rare in the context in which this psalm was written. The psalmist (identified as David) was probably pointing to a much more common scenario, both then and now.
Whatever they may think about the existence of God, many people live as if God does not exist. They disregard the character, authority, and moral will of God relative to their attitudes, behaviors, and goals. It is foolish to disregard God, who is the Source of true wisdom. As the Bible says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10; cp. 1:7).
What are the characteristics of “the fool”, according to Psalm 14? They are corrupt. They do evil deeds. They have turned away from what is right. They mistreat their fellow human beings. They do not understand, nor seek God – the Source of life, wisdom, and righteousness (Psalm 14:1-4, 6).
Effects of Wrong
The psalmist makes it clear that wrong harms others. The corruption of evildoers spoils and infects the surrounding world (like a moral pollution). The evildoer’s mistreatment of others includes overpowering, oppressing, and humiliating the poor and weak (14:6).
However, the evildoers are on the wrong side, and they have reason to fear God’s judgment. For God is with the faithful, righteous poor (14:5). God is their “refuge” (place of safety and security). This doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t suffer. Many do. But they can be comforted by the fact that God is on their side, and they will receive blessing and honor (e.g., Matthew 5:10-12).
Extent of Wrong
As noted above, Psalm 14 speaks of two categories of people – the evildoers and the righteous. When we read Psalm 14, we may be quick to exclude ourselves from the evildoers group. But notice the inclusive language in God’s evaluation of mankind. “There is no one who does good, not even one” (14:1b, 3b, emphasis added). All have turned away (14:3a).
In the New Testament, Paul quotes from Psalm 14 to strengthen his argument that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Sin” may be defined as “any attitude or action that is opposed to the authority and moral will of God.”
Every human (except Jesus Christ) has sinned (Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15). In our fallen state, the natural condition of every human is this: We are all “under the power of sin” (Romans 3:9). The necessary result of sin is death (6:23), both physical and spiritual. “Spiritual death” is separation from God, who is the Source of life and every good thing.
Again, God created the first humans “very good.” But they chose to disobey God. They chose to rebel against His authority, and thus “fell away” from God (Genesis 3). The result was a broken relationship between humans and God. And every human is affected, as noted above.
This is the Bible’s “diagnosis” of the human condition that prepares the way for the “Remedy.” It’s the “bad news” that prepares the way for the “good news.”
Salvation from Wrong
Psalm 14 ends with an expressed desire for salvation and restoration (14:7). Though expressed in terms of Israel, the eventual fulfillment and application are relevant to all people. All people need salvation, not only from their “enemies” (14:4-6), but from their own sin.
All people desperately need restoration to a relationship with God; resulting in spiritual life, wholeness and blessing. This salvation and restoration are received and realized through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).
Reflection/Application
There is something wrong with people. If the human condition is like a sickness, what is the correct diagnosis? Of course, different philosophies and religions have different answers to this question. However, I encourage everyone to seek to understand the Bible’s diagnosis.
If people don’t understand the problem, they can’t understand the Solution – that is, the “good news of Jesus Christ.” Stay tuned for next Sunday’s lesson, called “What is Needed?”
Brothers & sisters, reflect on Psalm 14 and ask yourself these questions: In what ways am I sometimes like “the fool” or evildoer? In what ways can I identify with the mistreated? What correction or encouragement can I take from this psalm and apply to my life today?
Your Servant,
Jay