Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord.
Psalms 14:4 NIV
In Psalm 14:4, God poses a striking question: “Do all these evildoers know nothing?” Scripture portrays them as people who consume God’s people as casually as eating bread, yet they never call on the Lord. The Message translation makes the thought even clearer: “Don’t they know anything, all these predators? Don’t they know they can’t get away with this—treating people like a fast-food meal, over which they are too busy to pray?”
This question highlights a sobering truth. God bases His judgment not on what people claim to know or ignore, but on His divine expectation. Therefore, the wicked cannot excuse themselves by pleading ignorance. Whether evildoers acknowledge it or not, they remain accountable before Him. God has revealed His truth, and His creation already testifies to His power and authority. As Paul writes, “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen… so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Furthermore, God calls every person to recognise their sin, turn from it, and embrace His truth. This call is not optional; it carries the weight of divine command. Acts 17:30 affirms, “God commands all people everywhere to repent.” When people resist this call, they resist the very purpose for which God created them: to live in fellowship with Him and reflect His glory.
For this reason, the wicked must change. They cannot continue in their ways without consequence. Instead, they must allow God to transform their hearts and let their lives testify to His righteousness. Transformation involves more than abandoning evil; it requires actively choosing the life that honours the Lord. As Paul urges, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
Ultimately, Psalm 14 reminds us that no one can escape accountability before God. Those who reject His ways will face His judgment. However, those who repent and turn to Him will receive mercy and life. The piercing question, “Do they know nothing?” challenges us to examine our own hearts. Consequently, we must live with awareness of His call and display His truth in our daily lives.
Living It Out
Reflect today on the voices you follow and the choices you make. Do your actions mirror the path of the evildoers, or do they reveal a heart that treasures God’s Word? Choose to walk in His truth, allowing His Spirit to shape your life so that you live in a way that pleases and honours Him.