Apathy

The Bible addresses apathy through various verses and teachings, often linking it to spiritual disengagement and with the consequences of sin. It is often the antitheses of industry, diligence, and works. Someone who is apathetic is not being a doer.

As nouns the words apathy and sloth suggest some differences. The word apathy is often expressing a complete lack of emotion or motivation about a person, activity, or object; depression; lack of interest or enthusiasm; disinterest or indifference. While the word sloth is suggest more laziness; a mindset that demonstrates a slowness to act or persevere; there is a general disinclination to labor or to take any action.

Here are some relevant Bible verses and insights:

Revelation 3:13-18: "[13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. [14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

The people were living in abundance in Laodicea but its affluence made them selfish and apathetic. When it came to the weightier matters they had grown complacent.

Laodicean had gold and riches, and fine clothes and actually produced an eye salve used all over the empire, but Paul was using those terms metaphorically. Even their water which was aqueduct from a spring miles away was often lukewarm by the time it got to the city. This was a complaint of newcomers but the people had grown accustomed to it.

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

The government of Moses was entirely funded by freewill offerings. The same was true of the kingdom of God as preached by Christ. The daily ministration of the apostles rightly dividing bread from house to house which provided a social welfare for all the early Christian community and the table of Christ was entirely funded by Charity through the practice of pure Religion. The public religion of the world was funded by force which was a covetous practice that made them merchandise and cursed children back into a snare of bondage and debt.

Zephaniah 1:12-13 "12 And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. 13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof."

The remove silver and gold from the money of pockets of the people like the governments of the Spartans, Caesar and the presidents of the United States opened a door to the subjugation of the world population in a mystery Babylon where you own nothing. They rob widows and orphans through the state to provide a social welfare through taxation rather than Charity of pure Religion, biting one another until they are devoured.

Revelation 3:2 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.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 5:16 Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Mark 14:38-41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

1 John 3:17-18 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Hebrews 5:11-12 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Proverbs 21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Ezekiel 2:4: "4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel speaks to strongly obstinate children, who are resistant to spiritual messages and teachings, which is apathy.

Ecclesiastes 9:10: 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments" be always white(לָבָן)‎; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion(חֵלֶק)‎ in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

• This verse encourages being a doer in life with works and responsibilities preferring diligence to apathy and sloth.

Proverbs 18:9: This verse warns against being slack in one’s work, which can be seen as a form of apathy, and compares it to the destructive behavior of someone who tears down structures.

Galatians 6:7-8: This passage discusses the consequences of sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit. It suggests that those who focus on satisfying their sinful desires may experience spiritual apathy and distance from God.

Ephesians 4:19: This verse describes the state of those who have become callous and past feeling due to spiritual apathy, leading them to indulge in impurity and sensuality.