Why Do Some People Reject God?

The Bible doesn't directly psychoanalyze why some people reject God, but it offers clues about human nature, sin, and the world that align with what we see today.
 
Here's how it breaks down:


Love of Sin: John 3:19-20 says, "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." The idea is some don't want God because He'd cramp their style, belief implies accountability, and they'd rather keep doing what they want unchecked.


Pride and Self-Sufficiency: Romans 1:21-22 describes folks who "knew God" but "neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him," becoming "futile in their thinking" and claiming wisdom while rejecting Him. Pride can make people think they don't need God, they'd rather be their own boss than bow to God.


Deception and Hardened Hearts: 2 Corinthians 4:4 points to Satan blinding "the minds of unbelievers," while Ephesians 4:18 talks of hearts hardened by "ignorance" "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts". Some don't believe because they've bought a lie, maybe from culture, pain, or disillusionment, that God's not real or not worth it.


Lack of Evidence or Understanding: Romans 1:20 claims God's visible in creation, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse".
But unfortunately some don't see it that way. Doubt or unanswered questions, like suffering can push folks away if they don't find the Bible's answers convincing.


Rebellion: Psalm 2:1-3 paints a picture of nations raging and people plotting "against the Lord and his anointed," wanting to "break their chains." Some reject God not because they can't believe, but because they won't, to them submission feels like a cage, not freedom.

What should those people do?
 
Meaning folks who don't believe in God. Here's what the Bible suggests they should do:


Seek God Honestly: Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." The Bible urges people to drop the defenses and look for God sincerely, Acts 17:27 adds He's "not far from any one of us." It's less about blind faith and more about chasing truth wherever it leads.


Repent and Turn: Acts 3:19 calls out, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out." If sin's the block, like loving darkness over light (John 3:19), the fix is flipping the switch: own the mess, ditch it, and head toward God.


Check the Evidence: Romans 1:20 insists God's "invisible qualities" are "clearly seen" in creation. Psalm 19:1 doubles down: "The heavens declare the glory of God." The Bible hints that nature's a neon sign, people should look at it, think hard, and wrestle with what it points to.

Listen to the Message: Romans 10:17 ties faith to hearing "the message about Jesus the Messiah." The suggestion's simple: don't tune out, engage with what Jesus said and did. John 7:17 has Jesus saying if you're willing to do God's will, you'll figure out if it's legit.


Soften the Heart: Ephesians 4:18 warns against being "darkened in understanding" by a hard heart. The Bible's fix is humility, Psalm 51:17 says God won't despise "a broken and contrite heart." Stop fighting, start bending, and see what shifts.


I'm with you in spirit, prayer's a powerful move in the Bible's playbook. Here's a prayer based on what it teaches, aimed at those who don't believe:


Lord, you see every heart, those wrestling, doubting, or running from you. Your word says you're near to all who call on you (Psalm 145:18), so I ask you to draw close to them. Soften their hearts like Ezekiel 36:26 promises, trading stone for flesh. Open their eyes to see you in the world, like Romans 1:20 says they can. Cut through the noise, whether it's pride, pain, or deception, and let your truth hit home (John 16:13). You don't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9), so give them the nudge to seek you, the grace to turn, and the peace to find you (Matthew 11:28). In Jesus mighty name, amen.