“Spiritual Apathy That Leads to Spiritual Blindness”
SERMON Title: Spiritual Apathy That Leads to Spiritual Blindness
SCRIPTURE: Judges 13 ESV
Introduction
When we began this series in the Book of Judges, we did so with a clear purpose: which is to reflect on what happens when a generation fails to raise the next in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. The tragic pattern of Judges shows us that when God’s people neglect this responsibility, the next generation quickly forgets who God is and turns away from His ways.
Today, as we come to Judges 13 and begin the story of Samson, we are brought back to that central theme. Because before we ever meet Samson the man, we are introduced to the world he was born into—a spiritually numb and directionless generation. And at the heart of that world are his parents, Manoah and his wife. At first glance, Judges 13 might seem like a typical birth narrative, but it’s actually much more. It’s a mirror that reflects the spiritual blindness and complacency of the people at that time—including the very ones chosen to raise a deliverer. So before we look at Samson’s strength or his downfall, we need to pause and consider the spiritual condition of his parents—and what that reveals about the state of Israel. Because the story of Samson doesn’t begin with his actions, but with a generation that had already lost its way.
Spiritual Apathy of the Day
Judges 13 opens with a familiar pattern: “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…” This repeats the cycle seen throughout Judges:
Israel sins
God hands them over to enemies
They cry out
God raises a judge to save them
But the cycle is worsening. Each time, Israel drifts further from God. Now, in Judges 13, we hit the lowest point. Verse 1: God gives them into the hands of the Philistines—for 40 years, the longest oppression yet. (Compare: 20 years under Deborah.) This reveals the depth of their rebellion. What’s shocking is what’s missing: no cry for help, no repentance. The story moves straight to Samson’s birth. This shows just how numb Israel had become. They didn’t even remember to call on God. Their oppression had become “normal.” In chapter 15, when Samson attacks the Philistines, 3000 men from Judah confront him: “Don’t you know the Philistines rule over us?” Instead of supporting Samson, they defend their oppressors. That’s how spiritually apathetic Israel had become:
Unconcerned with being God’s set-apart people
Accepting enemy rule
Forgetting to call on the Lord
This is the dark spiritual state into which Samson is born—a generation so distant from God, they’ve forgotten how to hope. And even Samson’s family begins to show signs of this decline.
Spiritual Blindness of Manoah and His Wife
A. Manoah’s Wife: Spiritually Dull
In Judges 13:2, we meet Manoah and his barren wife—a major disgrace in that time. But in verses 3–5, the angel of the Lord appears to her, promising a son who will be a Nazirite—set apart for God to begin saving Israel. Nazirite vows included:
No wine or grape products
No haircut
No contact with the dead
The angel instructs her to follow these rules even during pregnancy. She tells Manoah about the encounter but makes two errors:
She calls the messenger a “man of God,” not recognizing it was the angel of the Lord (Yahweh).
She adds to the angel’s words, claiming her son would be a Nazirite “until the day of his death,” which the angel never said.
This shows spiritual dullness—she neither fully grasped who appeared to her nor remembered the message accurately.
B. Manoah: Spiritually Blind
Manoah prays for the man of God to return and “teach” them how to raise the child (v.8). While he prays to Yahweh, his real motivation is distrust—he wants confirmation for himself, not through his wife. God graciously sends the angel again—but to the wife first. When Manoah meets the angel, he still doesn’t recognize who he is. Even after repeated encounters, he remains spiritually blind. Manoah asks about the child’s mission, though it was already explained. He then offers a meal (vv.15–16), not to worship, but in hopes of securing favor—reflecting a transactional view of God. When he asks the angel’s name (v.17), it’s not out of reverence, but so he can honor him if the words come true—another sign he cares more about results than God Himself. This reveals his heart:
He didn’t seek God—he sought solutions.
He was willing to honor any divine being if it worked in his favor.
He used spiritual language, but lacked spiritual sight.
Spiritual blindness is a slow drift:
We stop engaging God personally.
Church, prayer, and Scripture become routine.
We lose awe, and eventually worship other things without realizing it.
Like Manoah, we can miss God even when He’s right in front of us—still asking for signs, still trying to control. Only when the angel ascends in the altar's flame (v.21) do they realize who he was. Yet, they make no memorial, no altar—just move on, and the son is born. Verse 24: “And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him.”
Lessons from the Chapter – A Call to Wake Up
Many of us grew up thinking Samson’s parents were godly, chosen for their faith. But Judges 13 shows a different story. Manoah and his wife were spiritually apathetic and blind—unable to recognize God's presence and responding more with fear than worship. Yet God still chose to bless them. Why? Because even when His people are spiritually dull, God remains faithful. But Samson’s life, as we’ll see, is not a story of godly strength—it’s one of spiritual compromise. He was chosen and Spirit-empowered, yet did what was right in his own eyes.
The same danger exists today.
When we become numb to God’s presence, we don’t stop worshiping—we just start worshiping the wrong things: comfort, image, success, self. We still build altars, just not to God. Spiritual dullness doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in—through distraction, neglect, and misplaced priorities. This isn’t just an ancient issue. It’s happening now.
Nearly 1 in 3 adults under 30 identify as “religiously unaffiliated” (Pew).
Only 4% of Gen Z hold a biblical worldview (Arizona Christian University).
Less than 47% of Americans today belong to a church (Gallup).
But this didn’t start with Gen Z. It started when older generations stopped living real, vibrant faith at home. We’ve traded discipleship for programs. Attendance for vitality. Rules for reasons. Stories for a worldview. Meanwhile, our culture is discipling us—especially our youth—seven hours a day through screens.
So what now?
God is calling every generation back to Himself:
Grandparents – Your prayers and faith still matter. Don’t check out.
Parents – Your example is more powerful than any sermon.
Young Adults – You are the church now. Build your life on the gospel.
Teens – Choose truth over trends. Let Jesus lead now, not later.
Every heart is being shaped by something. If we don’t disciple ourselves and our homes, the world will
Good News of the Gospel – Hope for Every Generation
If you’re feeling convicted—realizing, “I’ve messed up,” or “I haven’t been intentional”—here’s the good news: Judges 13 doesn’t start with people crying out to God. It starts with God showing up anyway. Israel wasn’t seeking Him, but He came—with a promise, a plan, and a deliverer.
And that’s what God has done for us in Jesus.
We didn’t cry out first—He came first.
We didn’t save ourselves—He laid down His life.
We didn’t earn grace—He gave it freely.
Jesus bore our spiritual apathy and rose again to give us a new heart, new calling, and new legacy. The gospel doesn’t demand perfection. It invites surrender. God uses people who say, “Jesus, help me start again.” That’s how generations are awakened—not by guilt, but by a fresh encounter with His grace. So whether you’re a grandparent, parent, young adult, or teen—His grace is pursuing you. You don’t need to have it all together. Just stay awake to what Jesus has done and take your next step with Him. Let’s not sleep through our calling. Let’s not hand over our families or future to a culture that confuses noise for truth and comfort for peace.
God has given us everything we need—His Spirit, His Word, and His Son.
So wherever you are in life—lead with eyes open and hearts awake. Let others see the gospel alive in your repentance, your worship, your words, and your walk. We can’t change the past—but we can choose faithfulness today. Let’s be the generation that says: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Let’s leave here awake, alert, and anchored in the gospel—for the sake of every generation.
Reflection and Response
We’ve heard a sobering call today—not just about what’s happening around us, but what may be happening within us. And yet, we’ve also heard the hope of the gospel: Jesus meets us in our weakness. He is faithful even when we have not been. Here are a few questions to help you reflect:
• Have I been spiritually awake in my own walk with God? Or have I settled into comfort, routine, or distraction?
• What has my child, or the next generation, seen about Jesus through my life? Have I modeled a living, honest faith—or mostly religious habits?
• In what ways have I outsourced discipleship—expecting the church, school, or culture to do what I’ve been called to do?
• Where do I need to repent—not out of guilt, but in response to God’s grace? What does it look like to begin again, even today?
• And finally, am I trusting in my own strength—or in Christ’s power to redeem, restore, and lead? Will I let Him be the Deliverer in my home?