> In The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan gives us a vivid picture of the Christian life as a journey toward the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian faces danger, temptation, fear, and discouragement. One of the more sobering moments comes when he encounters a man named Atheist, whose words are meant to shake his faith and turn him away from his hope. This scene reminds us of an important spiritual lesson: we must beware of those who abandon the faith and then seek to discourage others from continuing on.
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Christian and Hopeful Meet Atheist
As Christian and Hopeful continue their journey, they meet a man called Atheist. He mocks them for their pilgrimage and tells them they are wasting their time searching for a city and inheritance that do not exist. He speaks confidently, as though their faith is foolish and their hope is empty.
But Christian and Hopeful do not accept his message. Instead, they continue forward, grounded in what they know to be true. Though Atheist speaks boldly, his words carry the bitter voice of unbelief, not the light of truth. Bunyan uses this encounter to show how dangerous it can be to listen to those who have rejected faith and now try to pull others down with them.
Beware of Those who Fall Away From the Faith
The lesson is clear: beware of those who fall away from the faith and try to persuade others to do the same. Apostasy is not only a personal tragedy; it can also become a stumbling block for others when unbelief is openly promoted.
People who abandon the faith often do not walk away quietly. Sometimes they mock what they once professed, question the promises of God, and try to make faithful believers feel naïve for trusting Christ. Their words may sound clever, confident, or persuasive, but confidence is not the same as truth.
Christian’s response teaches us that the believer must not measure reality by the opinions of scoffers. Faith rests not on the changing attitudes of people, but on the unchanging Word of God.
Heed the Warning and Promise of Scripture
Scripture prepares us for this very kind of opposition. God’s Word warns us that not everyone who seems near to the faith will remain in it, and not every voice should be trusted.
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
— 1 John 2:19
This verse reminds us that falling away reveals what was truly in the heart. At the same time, Scripture gives believers strong assurance:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
— Hebrews 10:23
Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the faithfulness of God. He is the One who keeps His people and fulfills every promise He has made.
Genuine Faith Presses On When Challenged by Unbelief
Christian is not turned aside by Atheist’s ridicule. He and Hopeful press on toward the Celestial City. That is the victory in this scene: not a dramatic argument won, but a steady perseverance maintained.
By refusing to be swayed, Christian shows that genuine faith continues forward even when challenged by unbelief. He does not let a mocking voice become a guiding voice. Instead, he remains fixed on the truth of what lies ahead.
Listen Carefully to God’s Word: Be Discerning
We face similar challenges in our own time. Many believers encounter voices—online, in culture, in friendships, even in former Christian circles—that ridicule faith in Christ and treat biblical hope as fantasy. Some who once claimed to believe now speak against the gospel and urge others to deconstruct, abandon conviction, or give up hope in God’s promises.
This passage teaches us to be discerning. We should listen carefully to God’s Word, stay rooted in sound doctrine, and remember that not every confident voice is a trustworthy one. We do not need to fear questions, but we must guard our hearts against influences that seek to destroy faith rather than strengthen it.
Like Christian, we are called to continue the journey. Christ is real. The Celestial City is sure. The promises of God are not made empty because scoffers deny them.
A Call for Personal Reflection
Are there voices in your life that are weakening your trust in God? Have you been tempted to doubt because someone else has walked away from the faith? If so, return again to the promises of Scripture. Fix your eyes on Christ, not on those who have turned aside.
Ask the Lord for discernment, steadfastness, and courage. Pray for those who have wandered, but do not follow them into unbelief. Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep looking toward the City that God has prepared for His people.
The road may include mockers, but the destination is still certain.
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