Why do I sometimes feel apathetic toward God? - Apathy - TouchPoints

1 Kings 11:1-3Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

We can become apathetic toward God because of sin. When sin takes a foothold in our lives, it always leads us away from God and toward an apathetic attitude about him. Satan will use all his power to keep us from getting excited about following God.

Genesis 3:6The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Temptation takes our focus off God and makes thinking about something else more exciting. This happens when something else—interesting and enticing—suddenly has our attention. If what we are excited about is not what God wants us to do, our passion for God will suffer.

Mark 14:32-41They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed . . . Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Sometimes we are just too tired or don’t see the significance of what is happening around us. Peter thought this was just another night out. If he had been spiritually sensitive, he might have sensed the significance of this night.

Zephaniah 1:6“I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings.”

The tendency toward self-sufficiency can stifle our relationship with God and cause us to be apathetic toward him. If we think we have all we need, why would we stop and consider our need for God?

Malachi 1:13“You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

Colossians 1:23You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Hebrews 2:1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Revelation 2:4“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”

As with all relationships, our relationship with God takes effort and energy. God continues to be fully committed to us. In order for our relationship to continue to be exciting, we must be fully committed to him—diligent in our efforts to know him better. A lack of effort and energy is a sure sign of apathy.