Defensive Indifference

Baseball has this fascinating concept called defensive indifference. It happens when a baserunner advances to the next base without the defense making any effort to stop them. This usually occurs late in a game when the outcome is already decided. It’s not counted as a stolen base but is seen as a strategic decision by the defense to avoid unnecessary risks, like an overthrow, that could complicate the situation.

Last week, during the Blue Jays game against Cincinnati, I was surprised to see them allow a runner to advance without any resistance. It was the ninth inning, and we had a narrow lead. The game had already been tense and unpredictable, with the Jays giving up more runs and hits than they should have. I couldn’t help but question whether they could truly afford to show indifference at such a critical moment.

It struck me that the same kind of indifference can creep into our lives. Sometimes we let small sins or temptations go unchallenged, thinking they’re insignificant or under control. We dismiss them as minor, not worth the effort to resist. But while defensive indifference might make sense in baseball, it has no place in the Christian life. Even the smallest sin can grow into something far more destructive if left unchecked.

When it comes to sin, Scripture does not teach defensive indifference. Perhaps the most surprising example is in Matthew 5, when Jesus masterfully exposed the danger of what we might consider small sins. When we dismiss lust or hatred as minor or manageable, we’re essentially letting sin advance unchecked, like a baserunner moving to the next base without resistance. But Jesus warns that these seemingly small sins are anything but harmless. Left unchecked, they grow into destructive patterns that defile us and harm others. Jesus taught that we should take radical action to deal with them before these small sins got out of control.

Scripture consistently calls us to be sober-minded and vigilant. Take, for instance, these words: “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Edmund Clowney captures the heart of this warning when he writes, “The danger to the Christian is that he will fail to resist.” In other words, the real threat is defensive indifference: a passive failure to engage in the spiritual battle. This is a catastrophic error, especially when we consider both the relentless enemy we face and the abundant resources God has given us to stand firm.

Scripture teaches us that what seems small now can grow into something that can take us down later. There is no such thing as a small sin or a small temptation. Temptation thrives when we treat it casually. Scripture tells us to stay alert, resist the devil, and lean on God's strength.

Christian, don't let indifference give sin a free pass. Every small act of resistance matters in the fight for holiness. Defensive indifference is a thing in baseball, but it should never be a thing in the Christian life.