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AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES !!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

SPIRITUAL APATHY !!!

Ephesians 4:19-24(AMP)

In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand]. But you did not so learn Christ! Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

Apathy defined:
• Lack of interest in anything, or the absence of any wish to do anything.

Similar words to apathy are indifference, lack of concern, lack of interest, lethargy, laziness, and boredom.

Ephesians chapter 4 is a very stern, sobering message preached from the heart of the Apostle Paul to Christians. It is to be noted that Paul was not ministering to the world but rather to the Church of God. This chapter invokes a need for self examination on the deepest level. This is not a message that you just want to skim over and refuse to give an opportunity for soul searching. In this chapter Paul addresses the subject of spiritual apathy. Spiritual apathy is a very critical, life threatening, over-all dangerous condition to be in. Spiritual apathy is an attribute of the flesh or the nature of sin. Paul tells us that this former characteristic of the old nature should have been stripped off of us who are now born again. Spiritual apathy is of the old un-renewed self, the corrupt nature of sin passed down from the first Adam. Paul goes on to say that we who are Christ should be constantly renewed in the spirit of our mind. This also makes us aware that if we are not renewing our minds then we can slip back into the un-renewed state of mind. Paul said we must put on the new nature. This must be done on purpose and is accomplished as we renew our mind with the word of God. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
This does not just automatically happen just because you are a Christian. We must be the one to present our bodies and on purpose renew our mind so that we can be transformed, God doesn’t make us do it. When we don’t take the time to renew our minds in the word of God then we open ourselves to regress into the un-renewed self. An un-renewed mind has no interest in the things of God. An un-renewed mind is indifferent to prayer. An un-renewed mind is selfish and unyielding to the love of God. An un-renewed mind is drawn to worldly pleasures. An un-renewed mind is idle and open to demonic suggestion. An un-renewed mind is easily swayed and tempted by sin. An un-renewed mind does not think on things that are honest, lovely, just and of a good report. An un-renewed mind is hostile toward the things of God and the people of God.
Paul admonishes us in the scriptures above to have a renewed mind; a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. This involves keeping a constant supply of the word of God flowing through your spirit, soul and body. You cannot have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude if you only fed on the word of God every now and then. You will have a very stinky attitude just like if you only washed your physical body every now and then. The bible says that the word of God cleanses us. John 15:3 and Ephesians 5:26.
So stay fresh and clean! It is very offensive to be around people who have B.O. or we can say S.O. (spiritual odor). Don’t allow yourself to be spiritually apathetic; it is a dangerous place to sleep.

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