If you are a Christian, is there a difference between sin and apathy towards God

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   jwkoenig73posted 10 years ago

   If you are a Christian, is there a difference between sin and apathy towards God?

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2. 64

   DeepThought258238posted 10 years ago

   There are many things that contribute to apathy, obviously the hypocrisy that prevails in religion creates more apathy rather than minimize it. However an apathetic individual must study his motives and find out why he feels that way and then strive to correct it. God 's word reveals to us how he feels towards those who are apathetic, Zephaniah 1:12 states "..and I will call to account the complacent ones who say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good and he will not do bad." Writing on this passage in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, A. B. Davidson stated that it refers to people who have “sunk down into unfeeling indifference or even into incredulity regarding any interference of a higher power in the affairs of mankind. (Wt 96 3/1 pg17 par. 15)
   
   James 4:17  states: "Therefore, if someone knows how to do what it's right and yet does not do i, it is a sin for him."  If a person comes to know God exists but still chooses to be apathetic rather then work hard at fixing those feelings they will have to bear the responsibility for their actions. So how can we beat apathy? Visit www.jw.org if you would like to learn more.

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3. 73

   lone77starposted 10 years ago

   Apathy is only one of many negative emotions or attitudes. All negative emotions are a product of ego, the source of selfishness and the blindfold we wear that keeps in spiritual darkness.
   
   Sin is borne out of ego. In fact, I suspect that ego is the forbidden fruit.

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   celafoeposted 10 years ago

   sin is anything that displeases God.   Apathy is a Sin

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5. 75

   TwerkZerkerposted 9 years ago

   Yes. Sin is the breaking of God's Laws (as supported by 1 John 3:4). It's a willful act of rebellion against God and contempt for His holy nature. When we lie, steal, commit adultery, etc., we are breaking His law, and thus we are sinning.
   
   God's Word makes it clear that none are without sin, and every one of us falls short of the glory of God. This is why we are saved by the grace of God made available to us through Christ's sacrifice when we believe and repent of our sin. Man is incapable of saving himself by his works.
   
   Feelings, though, are not something we can control. They aren't willful acts, nor are they actions in any other sense. Granted, I'm sure that one could act sinfully because of one's apathy (I very much like the example DeepThoughts contributed from James 4:17), but I don't see any scriptural evidence that supports that the feeling of apathy itself is a sin.
   
   I don't think a feeling by itself could be considered sinful. Feelings may even tempt us to commit sinful acts, but they are not sin in and of themselves. Sinful acts are sinful acts. There are many feelings that God doesn't wish upon his children--sadness, pain, grief, anger, etc.--but that doesn't make these feelings inherently sinful. In fact, God himself has felt anger (when his children deliberately disobeyed him) and sadness (when he sent the great flood). Jesus has felt these things, too, and was even tempted by Satan. But neither God nor Jesus have sinned, despite having felt these things.
   
   A feeling only leads to sin when we act sinfully upon it. For example, a feeling of attraction to a person isn't sinful. God created us to be able to appreciate beauty as He does. But we would be sinning if we chose to entertain this feeling of attraction in our minds as lust. Does that make sense? I hope I didn't make this more confusing...
   
   Great question!

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   Sinbadsailormanposted 9 years ago

   A failure to act when one knows he must!
   Much like the countries that remain Neutral in the Great wars. Awaiting the outcome to serve the Victory  is very much a sin. When the sinner is not ignorant.
   
   Yet Apathy or indifference with a lack of action is not always a Known choice. Especially in today's world, when GOD is magnifying the unbelievers Illusions. All have Sinned, All have fallen short of their Salvation by God's Laws the Law was not designed to save but to convict.
   
   Only by accepting HIS truth and Sacrifice upon the Cross do we see that Our repentance is a requirement. Without It Salvation is incomplete and void.
   Only by Grace or the Gift of GOD's Love "sending his only SON Begotten and Not Made nor created" is One capable of revoking all sins his and the WORLDS.
   
   Sin is Sin no one sin is greater than the other. Sin is the failure to Come back to The Father's Seat of Mercy and Ask or Beg Forgiveness which all who have ever asked have received.   For the Father is faithful to Forgive. Apathy alone is not A sin it must incur an action or a failure to act. None not even Satan can avoid interaction with GOD.
   
   Apathy is a temporal state for all will have to decide or interact with Father at the Their seat of Judgment.

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