Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5885 indifference
A neutral attitude to God that is as dangerous as hostility. It is condemned as a rejection of God's love and of the needs of others.
Indifference towards God
No desire to seek God
Romans 3:11 See also Isaiah 42:20; Jeremiah 5:21; Zephaniah 1:6; Matthew 13:15; Matthew 24:12; Acts 28:27; Revelation 3:15-22
Refusal to heed God's word
Jeremiah 37:2 See also Psalm 81:11; Jeremiah 6:10; Jeremiah 7:13; Jeremiah 25:3-7; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 3:7; Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:11-13
Refusal to respond to God's discipline
Jeremiah 5:3 See also Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 7:27-28; Jeremiah 17:23; Jeremiah 32:33
Ignoring God is rebellion against him
Ezekiel 12:2 See also Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 7:26; Jeremiah 36:24; Ezekiel 20:8
People ignore God and his warnings at their peril
Jeremiah 12:11 See also Exodus 9:21,25; 2 Chronicles 33:10-11; Nehemiah 9:30; Proverbs 1:24-27; Proverbs 13:18; Jeremiah 11:8; Jeremiah 36:31; Jeremiah 44:5-6; Matthew 22:5-7
For those who ignore God's salvation, there is no hope
Hebrews 2:3 See also Jeremiah 7:24; Matthew 12:30 pp Luke 11:23
Indifference to God's declared intentions
Ezekiel 22:30 See also Numbers 32:6-7; Judges 5:15-17,23; 2 Chronicles 24:5; Psalm 22:11; Isaiah 64:7; Jeremiah 48:10
Indifference of religious leaders condemned
Ezekiel 34:2-4; Zechariah 11:16-17; John 10:12-13
Indifference towards the needs of others
Indifference arises from sin
Proverbs 29:7 See also Job 21:21; Isaiah 32:6; James 2:15-16; James 5:1-6
Examples of indifference towards others
Genesis 40:23 towards Joseph; 1 Samuel 25:10-11 towards David
Towards Jesus Christ:
Matthew 26:40 pp Mark 14:37 pp Luke 22:45
Towards Paul:
2 Timothy 4:10,16
Jesus Christ condemns indifference
Matthew 25:41-45 See also Luke 10:30-32; Luke 16:19-21
Jesus Christ's apparent indifference
Mark 4:38 pp Matthew 8:24-25 pp Luke 8:23-24 Jesus Christ sometimes delayed responding to cries for help in order to draw out faith. See also Matthew 15:26 pp Mark 7:27; Luke 10:40; John 11:6
See also
2015 Christ, compassion 2042 Christ, justice of 2048 Christ, love of 5147 deafness 5810 complacency 5884 indecision 6139 deadness, spiritual 6178 hardness of heart 6193 impenitence 6221 rebellion 6245 stubbornness 8616 prayerlessness
