The Bible has a lot to say about passivity, which can be defined as a lack of initiative or activity, or an unwillingness to act or make changes. Throughout Scripture, passivity is often contrasted with actively pursuing God’s will and purposes. Here is an overview of some key biblical themes related to passivity:
1. God calls us to wholeheartedly follow and serve Him
The Bible makes it clear that following God requires commitment, diligence and effort on our part. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30). Jesus said no one can be His disciple without denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Him (Matthew 16:24). This indicates an active, intentional pursuit of God rather than passivity. Wholehearted devotion to God requires initiative, discipline and sacrifice.
In serving God, the Bible exhorts us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Paul says whatever we do, we should do it with all our heart, as working for the Lord rather than men (Colossians 3:23). These verses encourage active engagement and zeal in following and serving Christ, rather than coasting along passively.
2. Passivity shows lack of trust and obedience
When God gives clear direction or commands in Scripture, failing to follow through demonstrates lack of trust in God’s wisdom and lack of obedience to His word. For example, after miraculously parting the Red Sea, God told the Israelites to move forward. But they hesitated and began complaining, showing a passive spirit rather than active trust in God’s power and leading (Exodus 14:11-15). Their passivity kept them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servant who buried his talent and did nothing with it was called wicked and lazy by his master. His passivity and inaction with the gift bestowed showed lack of diligence and obedience to his master. Obedience to Christ requires action and initiative, not passive inertia.
3. Passivity can lead to sin and unfruitfulness
Complacency and passivity stifle spiritual growth and open the door to sin and unfruitfulness. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus compared God’s word to seeds that need to take root and bear fruit in our lives. But passivity allows the seeds to be stolen away or choked out by the cares and anxieties of life (Mark 4:1-20). Revelation 3:15-16 warns about being lukewarm rather than zealous in pursuing Christ. Passivity allows our love for God to grow cold and our faith to decay.
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, as the old saying goes. Passivity leaves a void the enemy can use to lead us into sin. Paul exhorted believers to walk wisely and make the most of their time (Ephesians 5:15-17). Diligently serving God and others helps us avoid the temptations of laziness and complacency. A passive spirit stifles growth in godliness and Christlike character.
4. Passivity prevents us from fulfilling God’s purpose
We are saved to serve God and build up the church, fulfilling His purpose for our lives (Ephesians 2:10). Passivity causes us to miss opportunities to use our spiritual gifts, minister to others, be a witness for Christ, and bring glory to God. Jesus was always active in pursuing God’s work – healing, preaching, discipling, and showing compassion. He has left believers with a clear mission – to share the gospel, make disciples of all nations, serve the poor and needy, and build up fellow believers (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Matthew 25:35-40). Fulfilling our calling requires proactive effort and initiative by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul exhorted Timothy not to be timid but to fan into flame his spiritual gift (2 Timothy 1:6-7). He reminds believers that we are God’s workmanship, created to walk in the good works He has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). This requires intentionality and active engagement with the tasks God lays before us each day. Passivity results in missed opportunities to bless others and advance God’s work.
5. Passivity shows lack of vigilance
Jesus told a parable about ten virgins waiting for a wedding feast, illustrating the need for vigilance and diligent preparation for His return (Matthew 25:1-13). Five virgins were shut out when they had no oil to light their lamps, representing passivity and lack of spiritual preparation. Revelation 3:2-3 also warns about spiritual passivity using imagery of being asleep, rather than watchful and on guard.
1 Peter 5:8 encourages believers to be sober-minded and watchful, resisting the enemy rather than being complacent. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us to pray vigilantly and persistently. Believers are called to actively resist temptation, pursue holiness, and intercede for God’s purposes – requiring vigilance that passivity undermines.
6. God judges passivity in pursuing justice
Scripture often addresses passivity and indifference toward injustice. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the mute…and defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Believers should actively defend those disadvantaged and marginalized. James 1:27 describes true religion as proactively caring for widows and orphans in distress. Faith requires initiative in meeting needs and righting wrongs.
The prophets railed against passivity and apathy toward injustice. Amos 5:11-15 condemns those comfortably complacent in Zion while injustice prevails. Isaiah 1:16-17 urges God’s people to actively “seek justice” and “bring justice to the fatherless.” Passivity allows oppression and hardship to continue unchecked. As Christ’s body, the church is called to be his active hands and feet caring for the poor and marginalized in this fallen world.
7. We must take initiative in exercising faith
The Bible gives many examples of people who actively stepped out in faith rather than waiting passively. In Mark 2, a paralyzed man’s friends tore open a roof to lower him to Jesus for healing rather than accepting his helpless state. Jesus commended their faith-filled action, saying it was instrumental in his healing. Passive resignation accomplishes nothing, but faith-fueled initiative opens the door for God to work.
James 2:17 declares, “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True, living faith requires initiative to follow where God leads. Joshua was tasked with actively taking the Promised Land by faith, not waiting passively. Caleb fully obeyed God when others were fearful, showing initiative to boldly drive out Israel’s enemies as God commanded.
Ruth actively pursued a relationship with God by clinging to her mother-in-law Naomi rather than passively accepting her widowhood. Her initiative led to her inclusion in the lineage of Christ. In Luke 5, Peter actively obeyed Christ’s direction to let down his nets again after an unsuccessful night of fishing, resulting in a miraculous catch. Obedience and faith require action.
8. We are called to actively forgive others
Forgiving others requires an active, conscious choice – not just the passive passage of time. Christ commands us to actively forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:14-15). Mark 11:25 says when we stand praying, we must actively forgive others so our sins will be forgiven too. Holding onto hurt and anger takes much more effort than choosing to actively release and forgive them. Choosing not to forgive is actually more difficult and damaging long term than active forgiveness.
Colossians 3:13 instructs us to “bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” Bearing with others requires patience and longsuffering – again the active choice to release hurt and let it go. Passivity and bitterness often go hand in hand. As believers, we are called to follow Christ’s example and make the active choice to forgive, bringing freedom to ourselves and releasing others from ongoing condemnation.
9. Active love for others fulfills God’s law
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied to love God and actively love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). He made it clear that following Him necessitates proactively loving and serving others. Faith without active works of love is useless, as James describes in James 2. Love is more than passive feelings – it motivates us to humbly meet each other’s needs.
Romans 13:8 says ongoing debt to love one another fulfills God’s law. We are called to actively pursue spiritual gifts that build up others in the church (1 Corinthians 14:1). Galatians 5:13 makes it clear we have freedom in Christ to serve one another in love – not passively seek our own desires. Spreading Christ’s love requires proactive selflessness and compassionate action.
10. Heavenly rewards require faithful stewardship here on earth
Several parables communicate that faithfully stewarding our lives and resources on earth store up eternal rewards in heaven. In Matthew 25:14-30, servants who actively invested their master’s talents were rewarded with greater responsibility. The passive servant who buried his talent had it taken away. Our efforts here, fueled by God’s spirit, have ripple effects into eternity.
Jesus also compared the kingdom of heaven to a man who left on a journey and actively put his servants in charge of managing his house while he was gone (Luke 19:11-27). Believers are called to actively manage the time, resources, abilities and opportunities God has entrusted to us on this earth. This will lead to a warm heavenly welcome from the master: “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Conclusion
In summary, Scripture contrasts active pursuit of God’s purposes with passive complacency and inaction. Believers are called to actively trust, obey, grow, resist temptation, forgive, love, steward resources, minister to others, defend justice, and bear good fruit for God’s kingdom. Passivity inhibits fulfillment of God’s purposes for our lives. By relying on the Spirit’s empowerment, we can actively avoid passivity and wholeheartedly pursue bringing glory to Christ in all we do.
