Webster’s online dictionary defines an ‘atheist’ as— “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods : one who subscribes to or advocates atheism.” The real issue in atheism though, is presumption. They presume there is no God. It is a convenient ignorance though, so that they can do what they want because there is no accounting of what they want or what they do. Interesting isn’t it? The intuitive feel of accountability is there, but not the feel of God? For a believer, we presume there is a God and that His name is Jesus.
Make sure to take some time and read James 4.13-17. There you will find what it takes to be a ‘practical atheist’.
First, plan God out.
13 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:” “Go to now” only appears here and in 5.1. It is a scolding tone like, ‘Now, Look here!’ A plan has been constructed— “ye say that today or tomorrow”. A place has been chosen— “we will go into such a city”. A period has been calculated— “and continue there a year”. A purpose has been conceived— “buy and sell”. A profit has been calculated— “get gain”. Looks like the future has all been planned out. The problem is, it doesn’t include God. Making plans aren’t the problem, making them without God is the problem. I thought Jesus was to be first in all things?
Second, use lip service.
15 “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” The phrase, “If the Lord wills” can easily be just a phrase to excuse our own will anyway. We need to: Know God’s will— Acts 22.14; Understand God’s will— Ephesians 5.17; Prove God’s will— Romans 12.2; Do God’s will from the heart— Ephesians 5.6. God’s will is not an option and the only place to find it is in His word.
Third, brag.
16 “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” The word “boasting” means arrogant bragging. It’s the greek word: ‘alazoneia’. It says here that it is evil sin. Apparently it is a sin to be braggadocios?! Yeah, I think so. In fact, Proverbs 3.7 says— “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Who knew?! Being braggadocios is evil in God’s sight.
Forth, do nothing.
17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Sin of commission and the sin of omission is not the same thing. Let me explain: sin is doing what God says is not allowed which is commission (you committed it); Sin is also not doing what God says is right which is omission (you omitted it). Notice the words here: “say” (13); “say” (15); “rejoice”, “boastings” (16). All of those words prove that when you talk you are ‘doing’. Our words do matter and they are sins of commission. But when we do not say, rejoice, etc, we are omitting what we should be doing as well. When you fail to do the right thing like putting God 1st and talking to Him 1st, then you have not done what you are supposed to do, therefore the sin of omission. Both Deuteronomy 8 and Psalm 78 state how Israel would grow complacent, then braggadocios, then they would stop talking to God altogether. So yes, you can forget God. Have you ever forgot God in your plans? It is the sin of omission.
Fifth, procrastinate.
14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” The word “vapor” sticks out to me. It speaks of the transitory nature of life. Proverbs 27.1 does as well— “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” It’s presumptuous. Jesus uses a significant story in Luke 12.16-21 to describe this, check it out when you get a chance. There is no time for needless delays and detours. Life is indeed short! You have the option of redeeming (buy back) the time you have left though as Ephesians 5.16 states— “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
What all this boils down to is found in 2 Corinthians 6.2— “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”
The issue in boasting is an issue of trust: Trust in your self more than God; Trust in your treasure more than God; Trust in your plans more than God… or we could just simply trust in God.