The Abominable Man
Today’s Verse:
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. ~Psalm 53:1
For many years, ancient folklore in Nepal and the mountainous area of the Himalayas have referred to a mysterious and perhaps mythical creature known as the “Yeti,” or “the Abominable Snowman.” The adjective “abominable” indicates something very awful, contemptible, horrible, repulsive, and terrible. There is another kind of man that is also abominable, but actually exists. He is no snowman – he is a man of our society. He can be found in every society of the world. In the Bible, this real, abominable man is called “the fool.” A fool is a person who lacks competence, intelligence, and insight. He is idiotic, and lacks propriety in decision-making, responsibility, and social manners. Let us see who this abominable man, or the fool, is that both Ps. 14:1 and Ps. 53:1 speak of.
We see the DENIAL in this man.
Without shame in his life and remorse in his heart, this man says that there is no God. He denies the existence of God as Creator, Ruler, and Judge. He denies the essence of God as being self-existent, infinite, all-knowing, eternal, all-powerful, and holy. He rejects the facts that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handy work. It’s been said that in the former Soviet Union, the peasant farmers often enjoyed telling a humorous story to lighten their dreary lives. It seems that one day, a government official came to a farmer and inquired about the year’s potato crop. “Oh, it was wonderful,” the farmer replied slyly. “It was so big it reached up to the very foot of God.” The commissar’s countenance quickly changed. With a scowl, he said, “But comrade, this is a communist state, and we are atheists. You must not forget, there is no God!” “Ah, that’s my point,” the farmer replied, “No God—no potatoes!”[1] The fool is adamant that there is no God. But let us remember: “No God, no potatoes!”
We see the DEPRAVITY of this man.
“Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good… Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” This description gives us the moral and spiritual depravity of a fool. He will go to any extreme to live a life that is profligate, immoral, unjust, and wicked. He is lawless in his heart. He is defiled and filthy. His denial of God results in actions that are reprehensible. He curses, covets, conceals, and corrupts. He is an evil influence to innocent hearts.
We see the DEVICES of this man.
Consider the following from Proverbs: “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool,” Prov. 10:18. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise,” Prov. 12:15. “The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil,” Prov. 13:19. “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them,” Prov. 14:3. “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour,” Prov. 14:9. “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul,” Prov. 18:7.
We see the DESTRUCTION of this man.
“And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God,” Luke 12:19-21.
The foolish man is an abominable man. He is abominable to God and to others. His proud and irreverent heart leads to his destruction and demise. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Have a wise God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 18-20