Apathy means, “I don’t care.”
Ignorance means, “I don’t know.”
Complacency means, “I am satisfied with my current status.”
Laziness means, “I don’t feel like doing anything.”
There may be overlaps between these, but it would be wise for any Christian to single apathy out and crush it.
Here are some thoughts on apathy and ways to overcome it.
First, give yourself some grace. Every Christian has seasons of feeling on a “high”, and other seasons where we feel spiritually “dry.” Feelings are fickle and are not always a true indicator of where you are in your walk with Jesus.
However, if spiritual apathy remains for the long haul, it’s time to take notice.
Can I do anything about it? It certainly feels helpless when spiritual apathy hits. But Scripture is clear, we have a role to play in overcoming it. Romans 12:11 (NIV) says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” “Lacking in zeal” is apathy. We are commanded not to do it. Apparently there are ways to cultivate zeal.
Spiritual apathy doesn’t happen overnight. It’s usually a result of habits formed over the long-haul.
What to do?
1. Be honest about your apathy.
If you’re apathetic, admit it. Name it. Say it out loud.
We can’t cure a disease we are ignoring.
2. Is there unconfessed sin?
Being unremorseful about consistent sin can lead to a cold, distant and disinterested faith.
“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.” (Psalm 32:3-4, NIV)
David connected the dots: he had sin that had yet to be confessed, and it was drying him up. The source of our apathy might not be as mysterious as we think.
“The source of our apathy might not be as mysterious as we think.”
3. Fight apathy with effort.
Resting in Jesus is biblical. But so is getting our hands dirty for Jesus. So is putting our hands to the plow. So is “taking up our cross.”
“Effort” has become a dirty word in some Christian circles, because we are not saved by our effort. Though we agree on that, that doesn’t mean we don’t need to be intentional about our faith. 
Are you not praying? Jesus set time aside to pray. Something amazing happens when you get alone with God.
Are you not in the Word? The early church was devoted to the apostle’s doctrine.
Are you consistent in church? It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit uses a Bible-saturated sermon to spark a fire in someone. Go. And listen. You’ll begin to hunger for that which you feed on.
4. Fight apathy with biblical rest.
Praise the Lord if you’re serving the Lord! But do you ever sit down and get fed? Praise the Lord if you’re feeding well, but do you ever serve?
Remember, even God rested on the seventh day. Rest is needed. However, too much rest can lead to apathy.
“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” (Hosea 13:6, NIV)
“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.”
5. Give your apathy to Christ.
The way to kick apathy in its teeth is to do the very thing that apathy is trying to keep you from. Apathy wants you to distance yourself from Jesus, so draw closer to Jesus. Apathy wants you to stop serving Jesus, so press into serving Jesus. Apathy doesn’t want you to read your Bible. So, read it. It doesn’t want you to pray. So, pray. Apathy definitely doesn’t want you to get into a community of trusted believers that can see apathy in you and loves you enough to gently call it out.
The best way to fight apathy is to strong-arm it into submission.
Good news: When we lose our first love, God doesn’t go anywhere. He won’t abandon you or get grumpy with you. He weeps and grieves with you, welcoming you back with open arms.
