In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of indifference is often associated with a lack of concern, interest, or enthusiasm towards spiritual matters, moral obligations, or the needs of others. The Bible addresses the dangers and consequences of indifference, particularly in relation to one's faith and relationship with God.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 3:15-16 : "I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth." This passage addresses the church in Laodicea, highlighting the spiritual indifference that results in a lukewarm faith. The imagery of being "vomited out" underscores the severity of God's displeasure with indifference.

2. Matthew 25:41-45 : In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus speaks of those who failed to care for the "least of these," illustrating indifference to the needs of others. "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink... Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.'" This passage emphasizes that indifference to human suffering is tantamount to indifference to Christ Himself.

3. James 4:17 : "Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin." This verse highlights the sin of omission, where indifference to doing good is equated with wrongdoing. It calls believers to be proactive in their faith and actions.

4. Proverbs 24:11-12 : "Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know about this,' does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not He who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?" This proverb warns against the indifference of ignoring the plight of others, reminding believers that God is aware of their hearts and actions.

Theological Implications:

Indifference is often seen as a spiritual malaise that can lead to a weakened faith and a failure to live out the Christian calling. It is contrasted with the biblical virtues of love, compassion, and zeal for God's work. The Bible encourages believers to be fervent in spirit (Romans 12:11) and to actively pursue righteousness and justice (Micah 6:8).

Practical Applications:

1. Vigilance in Faith: Believers are encouraged to guard against spiritual complacency by regularly engaging in prayer, scripture study, and fellowship with other Christians.

2. Active Compassion: Christians are called to demonstrate love and concern for others, reflecting Christ's love through acts of kindness and service.

3. Moral Responsibility: The Bible urges individuals to be aware of their moral duties and to act upon them, avoiding the sin of indifference by being proactive in doing good.

In summary, the Bible presents indifference as a significant spiritual and moral issue, urging believers to cultivate a passionate and active faith that reflects God's love and righteousness in all aspects of life.1. (a.) Not mal/ing a difference; having no influence or preponderating weight; involving no preference, concern, or attention; of no account; without significance or importance.

2. (a.) Neither particularly good, not very bad; of a middle state or quality; passable; mediocre.

3. (a.) Not inclined to one side, party, or choice more than to another; neutral; impartial.

4. (a.) Feeling no interest, anxiety, or care, respecting anything; unconcerned; inattentive; apathetic; heedless; as, to be indifferent to the welfare of one's family.

5. (a.) Free from bias or prejudice; impartial; unbiased; disinterested.

6. (adv.) To a moderate degree; passably; tolerably.

Whether an Individual Action Can be Indifferent?
... OF THE GOOD AND EVIL OF HUMAN ACTS, IN GENERAL (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether
an individual action can be indifferent? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an individual action can.htm

Whether any Action is Indifferent in Its Species?
... OF THE GOOD AND EVIL OF HUMAN ACTS, IN GENERAL (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether
any action is indifferent in its species? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any action is indifferent.htm

Of the Three Kinds of Things There are in the World; viz. , Good ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter III. Of the three kinds of things
there are in the world; viz., good, bad, and indifferent. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the three.htm

The Constellations and the Genii Very Indifferent Gods the Roman ...
... Book II. Chapter XV."The Constellations and the Genii Very Indifferent Gods
The Roman Monopoly of Gods Unsatisfactory. Other Nations ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xv the constellations and the.htm

The Answer on the Nature of Things Good, Bad, and Indifferent.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XII. The answer on the nature of things
good, bad, and indifferent. To this Abbot Theonas thus began his reply. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xii the answer on 2.htm

Of the Union of Our Will to the Good-Pleasure of God by ...
... Indifference goes beyond resignation: for it loves nothing except for the love of
God's will: insomuch that nothing can stir the indifferent heart, in the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the union.htm

And Whereas Celsus Ought to have Recognised the Love of Truth ...
... The nature of actions"good, bad, and indifferent"has been investigated by the Greeks;
and the more successful of such investigators [3901] lay down the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlv and whereas celsus.htm

Steadfastness.
... to your feelings. How often the enemy of your soul will, if he can, cast
indifferent feelings over you concerning prayer. That is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/steadfastness.htm

Justin by his Colloquy is Kindled with Love to Christ.
... you have any concern for yourself, and if you are eagerly looking for salvation,
and if you believe in God, you may"since you are not indifferent to the ...
/.../chapter viii justin by his colloquy.htm

The Theology of Grace.
... As a mere faculty, will is and always remains an indifferent thing, [156] "after
the fall, as before it, continuing poised in indifferency, and ready, like a ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iv the theology of grace.htm

Indifferent (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Feeling no interest, anxiety, or care, respecting anything; unconcerned;
inattentive; apathetic; heedless; as, to be indifferent to the welfare of ...
/i/indifferent.htm - 7k

Vegetable (3 Occurrences)
... for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of garden vegetable,
and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. ...
/v/vegetable.htm - 8k

Neglect (19 Occurrences)
... for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of garden vegetable,
and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. ...
/n/neglect.htm - 12k

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)
... for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of garden vegetable,
and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. ...
/n/neglecting.htm - 8k

Unconcerned (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not concerned; not anxious or solicitous; easy in
mind; carelessly secure; indifferent; as, to be unconcerned at what has ...
/u/unconcerned.htm - 7k

Lukewarm (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Moderately warm; neither cold nor hot; tepid; not
ardent; not zealous; cool; indifferent. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lukewarm.htm - 6k

Gallio (3 Occurrences)
... Gallio has often been instanced as typical of one who is careless or indifferent
to religion, yet in the account given of him in Acts, he merely displayed an ...
/g/gallio.htm - 10k

Warm (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in spirit or temper;
zealous; ardent; fervent; excited; sprightly; irritable; excitable. ...
/w/warm.htm - 15k

Irreligious (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Indifferent to religion; ungodly; not controlled
by religious motives or principles. 2. (a.) Indicating ...
/i/irreligious.htm - 8k

Indictment (4 Occurrences)

/i/indictment.htm - 7k

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