Four Imaginary Imprisonments (Part Two) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Before I go any further, this blog series is based upon a message delivered by Katherine Arterberry in October 2009 during the Total Woman Conference at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church (Shreveport, LA).  Entitled "Free To Be," it has become one of my favorite messages of all time; and I listen to it rather frequently because it's so relevant to my continued growth as a Kingdom citizen.  It had been on my heart for some time now to blog on this topic, and I thank GOD that I have finally gotten around to it.  Moreover, just writing these posts has further increased my insight into these four imaginary imprisonments.  I pray the eyes of every reader's understanding are also enlightened by these words.  (If you haven't already, feel free to read Part One.)

Imaginary Imprisonment #1 | APATHY

Apathy, or the state of emotional indifference, breeds inactivity.  Having a lack of interest or concern regarding matters of great importance will certainly keep us from grabbing hold of GOD's promises.  When we possess zero interest or concern about a thing, there's simply no desire at all to take action.  Therefore, apathy is death to our Kingdom walk.  For our faith only works WHEN WE WORK because faith without works is "graveyard dead" (James 2:20).  And when we, in our capability to work, refuse to work; then that spells L-A-Z-Y.  That's right: apathy leads to laziness.  In Proverbs 21:25, the Bible says the desire of lazy folk will kill them BECAUSE they refuse to work.  And by refusing to work, lazy people meet their destruction all in the name of apathy.

When we operate in apathy, it's clear we don't have a good understanding.  For when understanding is obtained, it motivates us to take action.  So just as inactivity on our part is a clear indicator of laziness, it equally indicates the presence of an apathetic mindset along with a lack of good understanding about the issue at hand.  Take a look at Proverbs 24:30-34 for a great illustration of this.  As this passage of scripture reveals, when we're indifferent and refuse to take action we make ourselves vulnerable to great harm and destruction.

Just imagine if Jesus was apathetic.  There would be no reason for Him to bring Heaven's power to Earth or even ransom mankind from the bondage of sin.  If our greatest example for living--GOD Himself in the flesh--was motivated to take action, then apathy should have no place in our lives.  By living in an apathetic state, we settle for life's leftovers instead of enjoying the manifestation of Heaven's best here in the Earth.  This "whatever" mentality actually creates a sense of complacency with NOT having the best.  And THAT'S not Kingdom!

Therefore, we need to exchange apathy for zealousness.  We must get on fire for GOD and take responsibility for keeping our own fires lit.  This is imperative if we, as born again believers, wish to exercise the spiritual DNA we inherited to dominate the Earth and its resources.  Our faith victoriously overcomes the world because it is born of GOD (1 John 5:4); and since faith requires action, there's no room for apathy in our lives of complete and total victory.