New Reminders: Apathy

A young boy was standing outside a veterinary clinic. When a woman saw him, she asked if he was waiting to see the doctor. The boy politely replied, "Yes, I'm having my dog put in neutral." Apparently, this is a common procedure for humans as well. Reader's Digest, December 2006, p.61.

Apathy is a state of indifference, characterized by a lack of emotion, motivation, enthusiasm, or interest in people, things, ideas or actions. It signifies a "lack of feeling" and often involves a passive, unconcerned attitude toward important matters or daily activities. For example, people might feel some apathy toward politics and neglect to vote. Apathy can cause some people to watch without seeming to care or pay attention when they see someone in danger and might standby and say or do nothing to help. Some people are so apathetic that they might not be able to respond appropriately to much of anything.

There are many possible causes of apathy. If someone appears indifferent, it might be because they have something more pressing on their mind than what is taking place around them.  If someone seems listless, it might be that they have an illness or are tired from lack sleep. If they seem unconcerned it might be because they have bigger concerns of their own.  Someone who seems passive or detached, might be clinically depressed and are unable to feel much of anything.  A lack of enthusiasm or motivation might also indicate a medical or emotional problem. 

We should not judge anyone for their seeming lack of interest. However, sometimes apathy indicates that the person does not see or feel a reason to take an interest in what is under discussion or is happening.  We have all been obligated to sit through pointless meetings or lectures that bore us and we feel neither interest nor motivation to participate.

When we Christians try to motivate others to believe in God and come to our church and enthusiastically worship with us and to participate in our missions, we need to understand what needs to happen to overcome their hesitancy. We need to put ourselves in their shoes and have some empathy for where they are in their lives or on their faith journey.  We also need to understand our own motivations. What is it that keeps us from becoming apathetic, if indeed we ourselves have not slipped into a state of apathy.

The Bible characterizes spiritual apathy as a dangerous condition where passion for God's truth wanes, leading to a hardened heart and a lack of willingness to act on spiritual convictions. The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to cultivate zeal, to: "not be slothful in zeal" but to be "fervent in spirit" Romans 12: 21. Psalm 51:17 treats apathy as a sin that requires acknowledging the condition and turning back to God with a "contrite heart".

During times of indifference, believers are encouraged to "force" intake of scripture and prayer, treating them as necessary spiritual “medicine” even when feelings of motivation are absent. Disconnection fuels apathy! Therefore, believers are urged to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" and not neglect meeting together: Hebrews 10:24-25.

Enthusiasm is contagious! It is when we display our zeal for God’s Word and its teachings that we can inspire other Christians and nonbelievers alike to want to find the joy in spiritual activities.