Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT)

Have disciples of Christ become apathetic: to have no feelings, interest, enthusiasm, or concerns about learning and obeying the ways of God and Jesus? To see what happens to the people of God when they become apathetic, we only have to read stories in the Bible, especially the Old Testament. Apathy is the enemy of faith and a tool of the devil. 

How Believers Become Apathetic

Many stories in the Bible talk of times when God’s people loved and obeyed him with all their hearts. God blessed and faithfully took care of them for many years. During these blessed times, many believers took their good life for granted. They became self-focused and chose to forget God and worship idols. Their choice to walk away from God didn’t happen in a single day.

A great Casting Crowns song, It’s a Slow Fade, gives us a picture of this slow separating deception from God. Here are a few verses. 

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you
That are sure to follow

… It’s a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade
When black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices made

… A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

… It’s a slow fade

Jesus Shows Us How to Keep Our Faith Strong

Jesus knew firsthand the temptations imperfect people will face daily. Being fully man, Jesus knew he must stay focused on God’s love, will, and ways. He knew it only took one decision to begin eroding his faith.

While Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane praying before his crucifixion, he instructed his disciples how to pray for themselves. Jesus said.

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" (Matt. 26:41, NLT)

The disciples didn’t follow his instructions and abandoned him when he needed them the most. They fell into the temptation of denying Jesus to save themselves. Their choice to abandon, deny and betray Jesus weighed heavy in their hearts and souls after his death. Judas, the one who betrayed Christ, was in such despair that he took his own life.

The devil must isolate you so he can influence you. He wants to keep you from seeking God, studying his word, and obeying his ways. When God and Jesus are out of your mind, you focus on yourself and the world. The more you become self-focused, the less you become God-focused. 

Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters or be double-minded. They proved their unimaginable love for us with the sacrifice of Jesus. Yet, many people struggle to believe, accept, and receive their gifts. 

One day we will be held accountable for the master we chose to serve in our earthly life, which will bring eternal life or death. The reality of this truth should keep us focused on growing in an intimate relationship with God and Jesus while honoring them with our service.

How to Stay Alert and Be Ready

• What are you reading and filling your mind with daily that grows your intimate relationship with God? 
  
• What are you watching and listening to that honors the sacrifice of Jesus? 
  
• Do your attitudes, words, and actions mirror the way Christ loves you? 

One of the best ways to be on alert and prepared is to put on the full armor of God every morning as you dress and get ready for the day. Write out these verses and put them on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself and prepare for battle. 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Eph. 6:10-18, NLT)