Apathy: A Spiritual Cancer
Part 2
INTRODUCTION.
A. In our previous study of the subject of spiritual apathy, we covered the following:
1. We defined spiritual apathy.
2. We showed that spiritual apathy is a sin.
3. We showed that spiritual apathy will condemn the sinner.
B. With this lesson, we will help to further understand the subject of apathy by showing:
1. The manifestations of apathy.
2. How to defeat apathy.
I. MANIFESTATIONS OF APATHY.
A. Apathy does not happen all at once. Apathy is a problem that will grow if not identified and taken care of immediately. In order to identify this apathy, a Christian must be willing to constantly examine himself (II Corinthians 13:5) and be able to look for the manifestations of apathy.
1. Loss of zeal is a manifestation of apathy.
a. In the beginning of the church, Christians were filled with zeal.
(1) Paul uses the phrase “fervent in spirit.” (Romans 12:11)
(2) According to Acts 2:42, the Christians “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
(3) When early Christians found themselves in need, the other Christians “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” (Acts 2:44-45)
(4) Even after Pentecost was past, the zeal of the Christians continued. Consider the example of Barnabas. (Acts 4:36-37)
b. Persecution could not dampen the zeal of the Christians. After the stoning of Stephen, Christians went everywhere preaching the word. (Acts 8:4)
c. However, there were those Christians whose zeal had apparently waned. (Hebrews 6:9-12; 5:12-14)
d. Christians in the first century were expected to be diligent, not lazy or slothful. So too are we expected to be diligent, not slothful.
2. The loss of spiritual interest will come after a loss of zeal.
a. When a Christian loses his zeal, he will begin to lose interest in spiritual matters. Spiritual matters will become boring to the Christian who loses his zeal.
(1) He will loose interest in studying God’s word.
(2) His prayers will diminish.
(3) He will not find interest in talking about spiritual matters.
b. A loss of zeal will be followed by a loss of spiritual interest. At this point, the person will find secular interests to be more satisfying then interests in spiritual matters.
3. Apathy toward spiritual matters will make greater room for secular interest.
a. Although Christians are to live in this world, they are not to allow themselves to become entangled in the affairs of the world. (II Timothy 2:4)
(1) The phrase “entangles himself” is translated from the Greek word empleko {em-plek'-o} which means, “1) to inweave 1) of a thing: to entangle, involve in.” (Thayer)
(2) As soldiers of Christ, we are not to allow ourselves to become consumed by the affairs of this world. We must maintain a proper perspective.
b. When a Christian becomes entangled in the affairs of this world, he will allow the word of God to be choked out of his life. (Luke 8:14)
c. According to Peter, Christians are “strangers and pilgrims.” (I Peter 2:11) We are only here for a short time when compared to the duration of eternity.
d. We should avoid becoming consumed with the affairs of this world since our citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21, NKJV)
e. Our attitude regarding our stay here should be like that of Abraham’s. (Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-16)
4. Apathy leads to a hard heart.
a. As pointed out in the beginning of this lesson, the basic meaning of the word “apathy” is “without emotion.”
b. When a Christian loses “emotions” or feelings towards and about spiritual matters, then his heart grows hard.
c. To this person, sermons mean nothing. He finds more entertainment in watching his watch and setting poised to grab his song book as soon as he hears the word, “Baptism.”
d. To this person, serving the Lord is a ritual and nothing more.
e. To this person, attending any of the worship services serves the only purpose of keeping the other Christians off of his back.
f. Jesus said about the Jews, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:15, NKJV)
II. HOW CAN YOU DEFEAT APATHY?
A. Develop the proper LOVE. (Mark 12:29-30)
1. Love the Lord.
2. Love His word.
3. Love serving the Lord.
4. Love to worship the Lord.
B. Develop the proper DESIRE. (Matthew 16:24-25) {desire, NKJV; will, KJV; greek word - meaning, “1) to will, have in mind, intend 1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose 1b) to desire, to wish 1c) to love 1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing 1d) to take delight in, have pleasure” (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)}
1. Desire to obey the Lord.
2. Desire to work for the Lord.
3. Desire to spend eternity in Heaven.
C. Loving and desiring to serve the Lord are keys to defeating feelings of apathy. Consider the words of David and apply them to our lives.
1. Psalms 119:1-8
2. Psalms 119:9-16
3. Psalms 119:33-40
4. Psalms 119:41-18
CONCLUSION.
A. As we said last week, spiritual apathy truly is a great battle that every Christian must fight against. If we, as individuals are victorious against apathy, then this local congregation will be victorious against apathy.
B. If you are Christian and your actions are those of a spiritually apathetic person, then please, turn back to the Word of God and work to replace that spiritual apathy with godly zeal.
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Apathy: A Spiritual Cancer: pt 1 - August 25, 2002 -- File # 2154
by John M. Duvall (adapted from a series of articles by Mike Willis, Truth Magazine, April 24, 1980, with new material added) -- Lawton, OK