The Danger of Apathy: Cause for Spiritual Failure

    
      It is easy for us to be stagnate because we live a life surrounded by stimulation and change. We like to see growth in the church and if it takes too long, we move on. It is wearisome to run the race of endurance (Heb. 12:1-2). It is the same work every week and often times we become indifferent in our Christian walk. Apathy is extremely dangerous. When we develop an unenthusiastic mindset toward the Bible, Christianity, and our worship to God we begin to wither away.

Is That Me?

     The Lord wants our work to be zealous, continuous, and fervent (Gal. 4:18; Tit. 2:14). When we are lukewarm, we know that we must serve God, but we are half-hearted about doing so (Gal. 5:13; Heb. 12:28). Our lack of zeal shows in our apathy toward sin, limited worship attendance, and not bearing much fruit for God (Rm. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:25; Col. 1:10). These are all red flags. Also, being lukewarm can be seen in the fact that personal study and prayer is absent. Yet, the verbal profession of faith is there. We may say,“I do attend, study, pray, and serve, just not ALL the time” (Tit. 1:10-16). We will justify and rationalize why we are not dedicated, but the desire to change is no longer there. This mindset will lead us to abandon God’s expectations.

Ugh! I Just Don’t Want To

    God does not want us to be lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16). This is wishy-washy, and we will have no progress. We will do more harm than an enemy of the faith if we have lost our enthusiasm. We are neither moving forward nor backward. We are stuck on a slope. If we remain there long enough, we will begin to go backwards. If that is where we are at, He will vomit us out (Rev 3:16). We have become lazy, self-righteous and complacent (Tit. 1:12-13). Which way do we go? How can we grow if we have no idea where we stand?

What Good Can I Do Anyway?

Not to mention we can’t provide anything for the spiritually weary or sick (Matt. 25:37-40). We say that we have everything and are in want for nothing. Well, according to the world, that may be true. By the world’s standards we are spiritually wretched, poor, blind and naked (Rev. 3:17). If we are wounded, what can we do for someone else? Then we will see ourselves as useless and wonder what we can accomplish. This drives the lukewarm attitude. Then, apathy gets in the way if we don’t do something. We don’t give it our best and mess things up. We become slow and lethargic about our work so we get replaced by someone else. Or, even more detrimental, we don’t get replaced and the work limps on. Not to mention that this attitude is infectious and can permeate throughout an entire body of believers.

Get Me Out!

       Sooner or later we reach the point of wanting out. Maybe that is where we are right now. We just want out or desire to be better. When we are working at ministry full-time we must take a break! Perhaps we can leave on vacation somewhere. We must force ourselves back into personal study and renew our prayer lives. Those in positions within the church, such as deacons or elders, should make it known that they need to take the back seat for a bit. I believe that it is also important for brothers and sisters who are not in a full-time position in the church to do the same thing. We should pick up a study and work on it in our spare time. Let us make time to pray. Our spiritual health is extremely important to our success as Christians. It is vital. Our family and the church depends on it, as well as ourselves. When we are healthy spiritually, we can give our all. That type of work, leadership, service, and obedience does wonders for our spiritual life. It would be good to wait to serve until we’re nourished, excited about the work, zealous to please the Lord, and delighting in the Law again. We need to get well again. Christ made time to keep Himself healthy in God and in His work (Lk. 21:37-38). We must do the same. 

Stand Firm

     We shouldn’t give up. It takes a while to get back on our feet. If it’s a whole body of saints, it will definitely take a while. Every member has to be kick started. We shouldn’t worry. If God can bring us out of sin and make us a saint, He can certainly fix apathy.  We have to go about the work of the Lord lest our faith be dead (James 2:14-16,17). Each one of us needs to be working out our salvation.  We should be doing “works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20 NKJV). Let us “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV).

                                                     The Point of the Matter

When we quit working for Christ, or become a part time worker, we stop growing. It is very hard to know where we need to grow if we never make a stand. Making a stand helps us identify where we are at in our walk. After that, it’s up to us whether we want to mature or not. The Lord made it clear in His warning to the church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-21). God did not ask for this type of faith. Being stagnate means we will soon endanger losing all that we have in Christ. “By your patience possess your souls.” so patiently work in the Lord (Luke 21:19 NKJV). Avoid apathy like the plague.

 

                 What do we need to change?

               Do you have this spirit of apathy?

            How can you change that mindset?