He Who has Ears, Let Him Hear!

(The Cost of Passivity)

Faith was never meant to be passive; it was designed to be strengthened! Passivity is often associated with a lack of motivation, engagement, or assertiveness, wherein an individual may display a passive attitude, behavior, or approach. It denotes a tendency to refrain from acting, making decisions, or asserting oneself. While passivity can be a temporary response to specific circumstances, chronic passivity can hinder personal growth and impede spiritual development. Passivity could be the result of not properly counting the cost. Luke 14:28-30, 33-35 says, 'For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? ‘Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” Therefore, anyone who does not renounce all that they have cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” This was not a lesson about construction; it was a warning about a shallow or impulsive commitment. The price of Discipleship cannot be determined or initiated by a current trial, personal circumstances, or what is popular or trendy. This decision comes with a high cost!

(Passivity)

Most people don’t lose faith suddenly; they postpone it. “I’ll study when life slows down.” “I am not as bad as I used to be.” “I already know enough, or I will start next week.” “That’s not my calling or gifting.” Passive faith weakens personal commitments and undermines faithfulness. The symptoms are subtle, but the results can be devastating.

What Does All This Mean?

The parable of the unfinished tower exposes an underlying spiritual danger. Many begin building a life that looks Christian on the outside but collapses under pressure. The problem is not passion; the problem is a foundation built on emotion, but not conviction.