Patience vs Passivity: STTA!

February 14, 2019 by Michael Coughlin

Something To Think About!

The fruit of the Spirit includes patience. Being impatient is sin and ought to be treated as such and mortified. It’s a common theme, even among those who are not Christian, to view patience as a virtue. Patience, or impatience, is still a problem Christians need to deal with—but what I want to put on your mind today is that sometimes, what is viewed as patience is actual sinful passivity.

Passivity is Not Virtue

I’ve seen it a number of times, especially in men. Something happens which ought to elicit a courageous response, and a man who literally couldn’t care less about the results remains quiet and doesn’t take action.

“What a patient man!” echoes from the crowd.

Yes, too often we are characterized by our quick judgment and unrighteous reactions to the world around us. But sometimes, what appears like patience is actually cowardly passivity. Do you know a man who avoids “arguing” with a domineering wife? Maybe he’s being patient, but it’s also possible he’s given up trying to lead her the way Christ leads His church. His passivity may be masked as patience—and he’s being lauded for it, rather than admonished.When God commands action, inaction is sin. Click To Tweet

Have you ever met someone who practices friendship evangelism? That is, they don’t open their mouths to dispense the words of grace given by God, but they patiently await a sinner to ask them to tell them about Jesus? This is not a virtue to be extolled but a desire of the flesh which ought to be starved. Yet we look and say, “Wow, what patience they have.” When God commands action, inaction is sin (James 4:17).

Dear friend, do not believe the lie that humility is embodied by the quiet soul who never argues, nor that patience is the virtue of any man who doesn’t get riled up. There are times for action, for debate, and for defending the Truth. Search your own heart to see if you ever indulge in sinful passivity under the guise of patience.

See all posts in the Something to Think About! series:

Arminian Hopelessness: STTA!
What Will it Cost You: STTA!
Unfathomable Submission: STTA!
God is Unchanging: STTA!
Patience vs Passivity: STTA!
Discernment: STTA!
Don't Mention the Tension: STTA!
Lifestyle Creep: STTA!
Careful With Your Mocking: STTA!
God Hears Your Prayers: STTA!
Serving Two Masters: STTA!
No Remorse: STTA!
God's Desire for All: STTA!
Corona Virus, Conspiracy, and the Kingship of Christ: STTA
There is No Free Lunch: STTA

Michael Coughlin

Michael Coughlin lives near Columbus, OH, and leads local outreaches to glorify our Lord and reach the lost with the gospel. Michael’s joys are spending time with his dear wife and children, programming computers, and studying and discussing God’s Word. He is a member of Covenant Bible Church.

George Alvarado

George Alvarado is an almost retired member of our Armed Forces (yes, he's older than he looks). He has a beautiful wife, a very tall son, and currently teaches at Pilgrim Bible Church in Washington. He is also an author, blogger, apologist, evangelist, and podcaster. He loves spending time with his family and friends, traveling, photography, and continuing his studies in linguistics and theology.

Chuck Ivey

By God’s grace, Chuck Ivey grew up in a Christian home and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. He has been married to his wife Ashley for 20 years. They have seven high energy children by adoption (yes seven), also by God’s grace. Chuck works full time in local law enforcement as an investigator and chaplain. He serves as a deacon and teacher at Beech Haven Baptist Church in Athens, GA. Chuck is a graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Theological Studies. Coffee and books are involved. You can follow hi...

Garrett O’Hara

Garrett appears to have originated the term, but not the theology, "dispybapticalvinistic-expialidocious." He is a husband, a father of four children, a U.S. Navy veteran, and a semi-truck driver. He also holds a Th.M. in New Testament paid for mostly by the Post-9/11 GI Bill (don't tell Mikey Weinstein).

Michael Coughlin

Book Review — The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians

How far should professing Christians go in pursuit of unity? When and how should we disagree with each other? Are there ever circumstances when we should break fellowship? The thorough look into church history in The Story of Creeds and Confessions serves as a helpful reminder to seek and speak the truth humbly and in love.

Psalm 119:121-124— Deliverance

ot only are we promised deliverance from our own cursed flesh, but we are promised freedom from the evil of this world. We long to see the day when all of God’s enemies are finally made a footstool (Hebrews 1:13) so that we might be delivered from them! Our suffering and oppression, although ordained by God and granted by God (Philippians 1:29) is nevertheless something we naturally want to avoid. We long for the time and place where God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4), where there will be no more pain and no more death. Suffering and pain are results of the curse, and all creation groans to be delivered—ourselves included (Romans 8:22-23). It is this meaningful focus on future deliverance that strengthens the child of God for every circumstance in this world. We are not promised health and wealth now, but when we inherit all the rewards earned by the Christ, we will be glad we traded none of them for temporary comfort!

Psalm 96:10 Jesus Reigns!

Jesus Reigns! Psalm 96 is like a lot of passages of the Bible—this chapter isn’t simply written about a single topic. Psalm 96 references our need to sing to the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 96:1-2), evangelize the nations (Psalm 96:2-3), fear the Lord (Psalm 96:4), recognize Him as Creator and everything else as an idol […]

Don’t Get Woke. Get to Know Your Local Church Brethren.

Nestled within 1 Corinthians 11, we find a likely familiar passage concerning the Lord’s Table which pertains to the current social media conversation on racism and socioeconomic class. Critical race theory is probably the last topic I want to write about at the moment, but it certainly is the topic du jour, so let’s take it on […]

The Preciousness of Christ – Benjamin Keach

The following comes from a sermon excerpt from Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) on Matthew 13:45-16 which says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Consider Keach’s words below: Whatsoever […]

Financial Investment, Gambling, and Sin Nature

Our Lord gives us this teaching about the reckless acquisition of wealth in Matthew 6:19–21. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break […]

Something To Think About!

Passivity is Not Virtue

Michael Coughlin

Liked what you read? Subscribe!