Photo by Peter Conrad on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
James hits the nail on the head with the definition of apathy. This vice is closely related to the sin of sloth when viewed in a spiritual light. Wikipedia defines apathy as “a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, or passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical, or physical life and the world.”
Doctors also find there are medical reasons for apathy, neurological in nature. These health issues aren’t sin but are an emotional disorder we won’t cover in the next few paragraphs. In this article the concern is with apathy as a vice or sin and how to deal with it.
Wikipedia goes on to say, “Christians have historically condemned apathy as a deficiency of love and devotion to God and his works.” Furthering this thought, the late archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “The refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil. The tragedy of our time is that those who still believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction.”
Jesus’ warning to us about being apathetic to the needs of others is nowhere more apparent than in His discourse on the dividing of the sheep from the goats at the judgement seat.
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:45-46
We get hardened by this world and lose our compassion for the least, the last and the lost. We ignore those who most need our help to just get by day to day. This is the sin of apathy and lack of compassion.
Jesus again warns us in the letters to the churches in Revelation. Both were apathetic to God’s calling and their walk with Christ.
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Revelations 3:2
It is important that all Christians hear the call to righteousness and the work we are called to do. No longer can we sit on the sidelines, hoping someone else will do what God has called us to do. If we are to fulfill the great commission, we must stop being apathetic. It is time to go to work. The devil wants to put us to sleep and harden us from being a doer of the Word.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
Apathy sneaks up on us, slowly sucking our Christianity from us if we allow it. Don’t let that happen. Be encouraged, there is a way out of its grip.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for forgiveness for my apathy toward those less fortunate than I. Help me to overcome my fears and be ready to offer a meal, a hand, or even a smile, a prayer, and a conversation to those I meet on the street. Lord, deliver me from apathy to the never-ending attacks of this world against You. Help me to be able to give a defense for the faith, in love, respect and compassion for those who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.
