For the last four weeks my church has been doing a sermon series called “Slacktivism.” Truth be told, I thought this was a made up term. For those who are like me and never heard this before, the word “slacktivism” is defined as “The act of supporting a cause or desiring to see change but putting forth minimal effort, commitment or risk.” Slacktivism is also known as “armchair activism” and “clicktivism.”
The older I get the more I become a “slacktivist.” I am becoming overwhelmed by all the disorder, chaos and needs in this world. For me, when I hear about injustice, I become angry (not always righteous anger, I confess) and am compelled to do something. However, it does not take my (righteous) anger long to turn into despair because I do not know where to start. I do not know where to begin to “fix” the problem. So instead of doing something, I do nothing. I complain about the injustice, I am emotionally stirred to do something yet, my hand does not respond.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up doing good (Gal 6:9). This blessing is that we will grow closer to God. We will grow in character and favor as we live as God intends.
Three times Paul admonishes Titus to remind his congregants to “be ready for every good work” (3:1,8,14). I do not know what slacktivism looks like in your life. All I know is that we are called to devote ourselves to good works (3:8) and to help those in need and to be productive and fruitful rather than unproductive (3:14).
I am humbled and challenged to be a genuine doer of the Word and not just a hearer or talker. It is easy for us to like, reblog or forward outrage or emotional stories; it is much harder when we actually step up and get involved.
May we fight the devil’s urge to keep us as slacktivists rather than activists!
Lord God, You know the needs around are great and growing everyday. Lord, regardless of what popular teaching states, this world is NOT getting better. You have not designed this world to be complete this side of heaven. Lord, give us strength to do good. Help us Lord to look around and see the need in our local communities. Help us look at where we can do good locally just as much as globally. Lord God, I do not know where this precious reader lives; however, I ask that You unite all Your people with a heart for doing good. Lord God, so often we want to do good, we just do not know how. Lord, strengthen and encourage those who are on the frontlines fighting sex trafficking, advocating for the falsely accused and wrongly imprisoned. Lord God, help all of us to care for widows and orphans in their distress. Lord, may each believer work to the level that You have given them. Lord, may we not use our fears and anxieties to justify our complacency. Thank You Lord for this precious reader! In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.
Blue Collar Theologian 
Mandy, it’s so good to read you again. You are the one I actually search to discover if I missed a post. So guilty when it comes to slacktivism. I do wonder why my “doing” has faded like old jeans. It very well might be the age factor. I don’t know, but it convicts me. Mediocrity can be a tsunami. Hoping for you a grand Thanksgiving filled with nuggets of gratitude. God’s grip – Alan
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Hi, Alan! Thank you SO much for your kindness and encouragement! You are a boon to my spirit! “Mediocrity can be a tsunami” is one true statement. I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving as well! I am thankful for you!!! Love and blessings, Mandy
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So … true confessions. Lord have mercy on me, a slacktivist. I am guilty for sure.
What should we be active for? Is it not Jesus and the country He is King of? Is it not the Kingdom of God and not the city of man?
Thanks for the challenge.
Blessings for a stunning Thanksgiving. I am thankful for your steadfast faithfulness for Jesus.
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Hi, Michael! Wow, thank you SO much for your time and thoughts! Would you be interested in this post for your Christian Training Center?! You are so right about this being the Kingdom of God and not the city of man! Well said, Brother! I am SO thankful for all that you are doing to help the next generation know Christ! I appreciate your heart and desire to teach the next generation how to process life with a Biblical Worldview! Praising God for you, Michael! Happy Thanksgiving! Mandy
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Mandy, thanks for the kind comments. Would love this for our Christian Training Center article. I’ll just copy it off of here and email you about publication, etc.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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Hi, Michael! Thank you for doing this!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
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I echo Michael’s sentiments here
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Hi!! Thank you SO much for reading! Michael is a wise man of God! Have a great Thanksgiving!! Love and blessings, Mandy
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Thanks Mandy!
Have a wonderful thanksgiving as well. ♥️
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Hi! Glad to see a post from you! ☺ Yes, this is certainly something I can say I relate to! I think, for me, it comes down to a feeling of powerlessness, being that I am not up to nearly as much as I’d like to be. The few things I *am* able to do don’t feel like they are “enough” to belong under the “active” umbrella and the rest feels so out of reach. That said, maybe it’s just a call to get more creative with what He’s given me. Thanks for a great thought-provoker! Blessings on your Thanksgiving! ☺
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Hi Marisa! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Be encouraged, the Lord is using you! God is Creator and He created us to create, I can’t wait to hear/read how God grows your creativity! Thank you so much for sharing this pretty lady!!! Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving!
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Great post, Mandy … and a great reminder to DO something in the name of Christ!
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Hi Mandy, well you just taught me a word I wasn’t aware of. Unfortunately now that the word has been clarified, the actual practise is quite familiar. Obviously we all can do more in a large variety of ways, but activity doesn’t always equate to fulfilling God’s will in our lives. Sometimes it can just be a kind word or taking the time to listen or extending a helping hand, as we are led by the Holy Spirit. Extending grace and patience to others also qualifies. I kind of rely on God putting people and things in front of me and taking it from there as I ask for His guidance. There is a peace in hearing that still quiet voice and an inner witness to our spirit that we are where we are supposed to be. Committing our way to the Lord comes with the promise that He will bring it to completion. I often picture myself as one of His sheep in His flock and my main objective is to stay close to my Shepherd. Jesus is fully capable of getting me to move in a certain direction when He wants me to. Being open to seeing what He sees and hearing what He hears is a biggie and that literally applies to everyone that we come in contact with, within our family and externally of. Think immediate area of influence and be open. Blessings to you and yours. – Bruce
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Hi Bruce! Every moment can be a God moment if we are open and willing! I completely agree “activity doesn’t always equate to fulfilling God’s will in our lives.” We must consistently allow the Holy Spirit to convict and point out our motives or inaction depending on the situation. Thank you for sharing your mental picture! Blessings, Mandy
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Hi, Vincent! Thank you for your time! Have a great Thanksgiving!! Blessings, Mandy
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Mandy, thank you for this post. I particularly liked your prayer. Although I don’t think most people would accuse me of being a slacktivist, God is always stretching me and calling me to more of him. Lately he has been testing me, too, as I have been battling with sickness, and he has been calling me to do even more. So, I have had to rely more and more on his strength and less and less on my own. It would be so easy to just relax and take it easy, and no one would blame me for it, either.
But, that is not in his plan for my life. He is showing me that when I have nothing to give He can still work through me for his praise and glory. And, he is teaching me to trust him more with my life and to believe him that he will give me all I need to do what he has called me to do. I often think of Paul’s words when he talked about “sleepless nights.” God got him through those, too.
So, the important thing here, I believe, echos a little of what Bruce said, and that is that we just need to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and we need to do what he has called us to do specifically. We can’t solve all the worlds problems. We can’t even solve all the problems in our own families or in our own homes. All we can do is what God gives us to do in his strength moment by moment and day by day, and the rest we just have to lay at his feet and trust him.
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Hi, Sue! Thank you for reading and for your response! Praise God for His grace, strength and mercy as you battle with sickness doing the good work He has assigned to you! I agree wholeheartedly that we can’t solve all the problems, whether in the world or our families. We are to daily live, love, walk in the Spirit. May the Lord convict us if our actions and motives do not align with His. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Mandy
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Mandy, thank you. Yes, I agree. “May the Lord convict us if our actions and motives do not align with his.” Amen! And, thank you and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!
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I’ve never heard of this word before. Sounds like an interesting series.
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Hey, Jim! It most certainly was. Every year around Thanksgiving our church spends the month of November focusing on doing good in our communities. Making new contacts that we can build on throughout the year. How are you doing?
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Doing better, had some concern with some incident with members and members that threaten the unity of the church but I’m trusting God with it after doing what I can do have been done. That’s neat to hear your church does this
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Jim, I will be praying for unity! Please keep me updated with how I may pray for y’all! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you, your family and ministry.
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Aww thanks and have a blessed Thanksgiving with you and family!
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