Why people reject belief in God

Rom. 1:18-23: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For 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. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man...

Perhaps as in the days of Christ, people are rejecting Him for the same reasons.

1. Deliberate ignorance

John 7:40-43: Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, "This certainly is the Prophet." Others were saying, "This is the Christ." Still others were saying, "Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there arose a division in the multitude because of Him.

This passage suggests that people would not believe that Jesus was the Christ because they did not know the facts concerning His birth. It seems clear though, that those who took the time to check the facts (say, by asking His mother) would have discovered that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem. This kind of ignorance is self-imposed. Rather than lack enough information, these people did not seek out and examine the information that was available. Today there are people who do not have the information they need for an informed decision, even though the bookstores, the Internet, and their own bookshelves are overflowing with enough information and evidence to convince any honest seeker.

2. Pride

John 12:42-43 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.


Pride causes some to seek the approval of those that hold power, position, or popularity. Pride can also be expressed through a fear of losing power, position, or popularity.Pride can be the reason that people think that they don’t need God.

3. Moral Problem

John 3:19-20 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Some people reject the evidence because it would mean having to change their behavior.

People tend to reject evidence that does not support a belief system that allows them to continue their present lifestyle, and look for evidence to justify sinful behavior.

Consider the present controversy over the homosexual lifestyle. Scientists are vigorously searching for a physiological cause for homosexuality; for example, a "gay gene" that would relieve people of the personal responsibility for this particular behavior that is clearly defined as sinful in the Bible.

The Bible does not make a distinction between sin that is caused by a physiological characteristic such as the sex drive, and a purely psychological motivation. Temptation occurs for everyone; even Jesus was tempted. Sin is allowing that temptation to rule the will. If I am, for example, an ordinary heterosexual man attracted to my neighbor’s wife, it is every bit as sinful for me to act upon that desire as for one with homosexual desires to act on them. The Bible condemns promiscuity and sexual activity outside of the bounds that God has established, regardless of the motivation.

The Christian has a responsibility to determine his behavior by measuring it against God’s standard of conduct, not by what is natural or convenient.