With our last thoughts on What Destroys Churches we come to what may not only be the most dangerous, but also the easiest for us to fall prey too. If this danger describes us, then we can fall prey to persecution. If this characteristic is ours, we open ourselves up to the manipulation of false teaching. When we allow this last risk live in us we easily drift into worldliness. I am talking about indifference.

Indifference Destroys Churches. This is a subtle yet very effective tool of Satan. I can imagine Satan’s minions surrounding him, asking what he is going to do about the resurrection of Christ and all the people who turn to Jesus. I imagine Satan laughing in a typical low evil chuckle, and saying almost under his breath, “Let them follow Jesus for a while, then in time the fire will weaken and the embers die down. They will consider themselves followers, but they will not be on fire for Jesus. Let them lose their First Love (Rev 2:4). Let them think just enough about God to convince themselves that they are on fire for Him, but they will be lukewarm (Rev 3:15-17). Remember, Jesus himself said, ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters,’ (Matt 12:30). This will be great!”

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The good news is that you can know if you are lukewarm? There are symptoms you can look for in your Christian life:

1. Irregular Attendance: Do I make every effort to gather with fellow disciples in worship and service? Or am I present only when it is convenient for me?
2. Lack of Participation: When I gather with fellow Christians, do I participate in the congregational singing? Do I volunteer to teach, assist, serve, set-up, run equipment, or make comments in classes as we study together? Or do I attend; sit in my self-assigned seat, while hoping the deacons do not ask me to serve?
3. Consistent Tardiness: Do I arrive in time to catch up with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Do I make effort to arrive early to greet guests? Or am I consistently walking just as worship begins?
4. Waning Efforts at Evangelism: Am I talking to my family, friends, and fellow workers about the Gospel? Or am I acting ashamed of Christ and His good news?
5. Lack of Private Study / Prayer: Am I diligently spending time with God in my private life? Or is the only time my Bible (Bible App) open and my head bowed is during a crisis or in worship when I do attend?

Indifference Kills!

The Antidote is Fervent Service:

• Gal 6:9 “Do not grow weary”
• Heb 6:11-12 – “Do not be sluggish”
• Heb 10:24-25 – “Encourage / provoke”

2 Cor 2:11 “ . . . lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices! Now let us get busy in our service to God.

– Scott