Who Sees Us? Who Will Know?
Atheism is a heart condition that denies God's existence, whether in opinion, affection, or practice, and leads to a life of sin and separation from God.
Thomas Brooks addresses the prevalence of atheism in the hearts of sinners, illustrating how various forms of idolatry replace God in their lives, such as wealth, pleasure, and ambition. He emphasizes that many live as if God does not see their actions, leading to a false sense of security in their sins. Brooks warns that this denial of God's omniscience and omnipotence is a grave blasphemy, as it leads individuals to act freely in secret, believing they can escape divine judgment. He concludes with a stark reminder that while many may claim atheism on earth, none will do so in hell, where the reality of God's presence is undeniable.
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Atheism reigns in the hearts and lives of sinners.
The covetous make their gold their god.
The drunkard and glutton make their bellies their god.
The ambitious make honors their god.
The voluptuous make pleasures their god.
The religionists make pious duties their god.
The moral make virtue their god.
"The fool says in his heart--There is no God!"
Psalm 14:1
Atheism denies God either:
in opinion--saying there is no God; or
in affection--wishing there were no God; or
in practice--living as if there were no God.
What abundance of atheists there are in the land!
"He says to himself--God has forgotten; He covers
His face and never sees." Psalm 10:11
"They say--How can God know? Does the Most
High have knowledge?" Psalm 73:11
"They say--The Lord does not see; the God
of Jacob pays no heed." Psalm 94:7
What horrid blasphemy, what gross atheism is here!
How do these atheists ungod the great God! How do
they deny His omnipotence and omniscience! What
an idol-god do they make the great God to be!
There are many who sin freely in secret, who can
be drunk and filthy in the dark, when the eye of man
is not upon them. Certainly those men's hearts are
very atheistic, who dare do that in the sight of God
--which they tremble to do before the eyes of men!
How many are there who flatter themselves in their
sins, and conclude that surely the bitterness of hell
and wrath is past, and that they are in a fair way for
heaven--when every step they take is towards the
bottomless pit, and divine vengeance hangs over
their heads, ready every moment to fall upon them!
"On earth are atheists many,
In hell there are not any."
"Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their
plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness
and think--Who sees us? Who will know?"
Isaiah 29:15
Sermon Outline
- I. Atheism in the Heart
- A. Covetousness as a form of atheism
- B. Drunkenness and gluttony as a form of atheism
- C. Ambition and the pursuit of honors as a form of atheism
- II. Denying God's Existence
- 'A. In opinion: denying God''s existence'
- 'B. In affection: wishing there were no God'
- 'C. In practice: living as if there were no God'
- III. Blasphemy and Idolatry
- A. Denying God's omnipotence and omniscience
- B. Making God an idol
- IV. Secret Sins and Flattery
- A. Sinning in secret and flattery of oneself
- B. Concluding one is on the path to heaven when in reality one is on the path to hell
Key Quotes
“The fool says in his heart--There is no God!” — Thomas Brooks
“On earth are atheists many, In hell there are not any.” — Thomas Brooks
“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think--Who sees us? Who will know?” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the danger of atheism in one's own heart and life.
- Be aware of the ways in which one may be denying God's existence, whether in opinion, affection, or practice.
- Seek to live a life of transparency and honesty before God, rather than hiding one's plans and actions from Him.