**The Silent Killers of Missional Living**
As a pastor, I’ve seen firsthand how certain sins can cripple our ability to live out our faith in a meaningful way. Among the most insidious are apathy, indifference, and fear of man. These silent killers can quietly suffocate our passion for God and our desire to share the gospel with others.
**Apathy: The Unholy Contentment**
Apathy is a passive sin that can lead to spiritual suicide. It’s a refusal to acknowledge the destruction caused by sin in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. We become complacent, content to let sin ravage our communities while we stand idly by. But Scripture reminds us that sin is waging war against our souls, and we must take action to combat it.
**Indifference: The Love of Life**
Indifference is often a symptom of loving our own lives more than the advancement of God’s kingdom. We become consumed by our own comfort and security, neglecting our responsibility to share the gospel with others. But Jesus teaches us that we must be willing to lose our lives in order to truly find them. We must hold our lives and comforts in an open hand, ready to surrender them for the sake of the kingdom.
**Fear of Man: The Ridiculous Fear**
Fear of man is a ridiculous fear that can choke out our faith in the resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit. We fear rejection, mockery, and loss of status, but Jesus reminds us that we should fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. When we fear men or their opinions, we elevate their importance above our King’s. Instead, we must boldly share our lives and faith with our neighbors, trusting in the power of God to work through us.
**The Battle for Authentic Community**
Shepherding people to authentic community is a battle that requires us to fight against apathy, indifference, and fear of man. But this battle is not one we fight alone. We have the Holy Spirit, the example of Jesus, and the promises of the gospel to empower us. We must believe the truth and promises of the gospel, and trust that God will bring about transformational community as we abide in Him.
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