THE AGGRAVATING ATTITUDE OF APATHY

THE AGGRAVATING ATTITUDE OF APATHY

Apathy is perhaps a universal Christian experience, and it is prohibiting the growth of believers. As aggravating as apathy is it is very hard to combat, because while we often see ourselves in the midst of it and we despise it, we feel powerless to do anything because we are apathetic.  Our attitude is indifferent towards anything.  The Christian believer would do well to learn what apathy is, what causes apathy and how do we combat it?

WHAT IS APATHY?

Apathy could be considered a state of indifference; perhaps it's the suppression of our emotions. Sometimes it is seen as a lack of concern, excitement or motivation and maybe even a loss of passion.  Apathy is a real and it weakens our sense of purposes. Many times apathy creates within us a lack or a sense of meaning.  It causes us to be insensible and sluggish. Sometimes apathy is so great that the one who's apathetic is stripped of fortitude required in many life situations.  While facing a challenge an apathetic attitude is most aggravating because we do not care to even be moved.  Because the perceived challenged is not realized many times one is overwhelmed and doomed to spiral out of control.

THE CAUSES OF APATHY

Prosperity– One reason why empathy develops in our lives is because of material prosperity.  As Americans this is a real battle.  However, affluence is not simply a material phenomenon alone.  Apathy could set in because of spiritual prosperity.  Prosperity of any kind often brings comforts, and a comfortable situated individual often tends to sag into some sort of uninspired spiritual complacency. This is known as apathy. Therefore, apathy is seen in the rich or the poor; apathy is a real battle in our lives whoever we are.

Coasting–  Often times you find ourselves in a hurry, even in a frenzy.  You are constantly trying to fight the pace of life and many times our hectic demands will elbow out our spiritual vigor and vitality.  Because of the rush of life our attentions are misdirected.  Even for those of us in ministry positions, we can become so caught up in the activity of ministry that we neglect the own condition of our spiritual soul, readiness and growth.  Apathy causes us to have less concern about our own spiritual life and causes concerns about managing the world around us. Thus, it sends us into a dangerous drift.

Trials–  Whenever we face hard times we need to be careful, because if we do not fight the spiritual warfare effectively apathy will soon follow.  Perhaps you are facing a difficult situation with a coworker. Every day, you hear from your office mate’s ridicule concerning your faith and your Bible reading lifestyle.  You are often mocked because you do not party, sleep around, or get drunk.  You do not cuss like comedian, nor do you watch the porn that other men in the office watch,  nor do you listen to the dirty jokes, and for this you are scoffed.  After a while your spiritual resolve begins to slack.  You think to yourself, “Is it really worth it?” After a while, your spiritual walk becomes slow, and you are very tired.  Eventually the slide into an aggravating attitude of apathy sets in, almost without warning.  Another example could be extended illness of a family member, or a disease that ends in death.  

Things like this try our faith, they dash our hopes and too often they sink our spirits.  Is there a remedy? What is the solution to such an aggravating apathetic attitude?  Is there any way out?  Gratefully, I believe there is!

THE CURE TO APATHY

Fight sin– Often the lifestyle of apathy is gripped by a damaging sin habit.  When Paul wrote the Church of Thessalonians, he said in effect: There is good news. It is God's will that you grow as Christians.  But don't just sit around waiting for this to happen.  He called the church to get busy and fights sin.  He calls the people to flee immorality, to learn to control their passions and not to sin against their brother.  {see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6.}  As we grow in godliness it allows us to be moved by God to combat the things that we must fight against.  Be warned: you are going to have to fight.

Intentionally listen to God– Unfortunately, in order to shake the sin of apathy you can't wait for some holy zap from heaven. You must by God's grace be intentional. It takes a deliberate spirit to overcome apathy. Where does this grace come from? It comes from learning to listen to God. We must actively seek him.  We must decide to meditate upon his word,  and set in his presence as  seen in Psalm 27:14 says: We must, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Absolute assurance -  We must come to the point of absolute assurance as a believer and live out our faith as a reality in Christ daily. God wants for us to have assurance as a believer. We can have a “know-so” salvation.  Study 1 John.  If you are a believer than you must live as one.  Apathy stands in direct contradiction to faith, and because of this we must take the sin of apathy seriously.  Growing, as a Christian is a process.  I see it as a progressive journey in life.  We are not spiritual infants one moment and spiritual giants next.  It is a day-by-day step of faith that grows over time.  There will be a lot of ups and downs along the way. However, when we look at our life {as a whole, not in part} we should see spiritual growth taking hold of our lives.

It is my conviction that no believer can stay apathetic for too long.  Either you are a believer who will grow, or you are an unbeliever who will stop clinging to the false hope of a nonexistent relationship with Jesus Christ.  Spiritual growth is not an issue becoming perfect, because this side of heaven we will not be perfect.  But the Christian life has a goal of continuing moving towards more and more Christlikeness.