Text: Pro.19:15,Ecc.10:18, Prov.24,27
INTRODUCTION
After God created man in the Garden of Eden – God gave man the ground and mind. He is employed into God’s service and gives a schedule of duties. He was never taught what to do but as he exercised himself, man began making discoveries that made him better. So God never expects man to idle.
KJV – SLOTH
Newer Versions: Laziness
Sloth is laziness and wrongful in activity the opposite of hard work, diligence and self disciple.
It is sinful because:
It abuses time
It waste life
Which leads to neglect of our duty to God, our fellow man, and self
THE ABUSE OF TIME
Laziness makes a man bad steward of time, time is short (1Cor.7:29) and this is to be redeemed. The Lazy forgets that God does not make empty days –Ps.118:24 – e.g David 2Sam.11
THE WASTE OF LIFE
Human existence should mean fruitful labour – Phill.1:22. Life is to be lived with zest and purpose – Col.3:23.
THE NEGLECT OF OUR DUTY TO GOD, FELLOWMAN AND SELF
By laziness we neglect to serve God with the wholeheartedness which alone satisfies Him.
We neglect to serve our fellow man with diligence that such service requires.
Our spiritual and physical well –being requires diligence 2Pet.1:5 and is this that brings about our usefulness and promotion.
CHARACTERISTIC OF LAZINESS
Inactivity –Sleep is a mark of the Lazy. He constantly avoids work – Prov.6:11
Soft options – The Lazy man makes a habit of soft choice. It encourages him to stay at home when he ought to be out and doing –Prov.22:13
Excuses – It encourage a man to make excuses for his Laziness. He can suggest that he is not at his best in the morning – Prov.22:13, 26:4, 13 or he cannot do anything well if he is hurried – Jn.5 – Man at the pool.
A world of wishing – Laziness causes a man to live in a world of wishing – Prov.21:25-26. He seldom moves from the will to the deed.
RESULTS OF LAZINESS
Laziness has its price
Gradual deterioration – Laziness is a creeping, spreading disease – so that a little laziness quickly becomes habitual laziness – Prov.6:10-11
Poverty of various sorts – Laziness can and will lead to poverty – Prov. 10:4. It does not jump on people. You work your way to it. Every lack is tied to slack. If you are slack you will end up in lack. Your hand makes u rich or poor. If you are slothful, you will never have your slot in life.
Prov.12:11 – He that tilleth not he that celebrates it or watches it.
Prov.12:30 – There is a lot waiting for him in the place of his assignment.
Bondage and indebtedness
Every idle man shall always be under command or supervision. –Prov.12:24. When you work you assume rulership position. Getting to the top is not by accident. You work your way to the top.
HOW DO I COME OUT OF IT
Live for the eternal today
Walk in the Spirit
Work as unto the Lord
Thrive from within
Finish what you start
Eliminate your excuses
2Thes.3:10 … if any would not work, neither should he eat.
1 Cor 7:29
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
Ps 118:24
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Phil 1:22
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell
Col 3:23-24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
2 Peter 1:5-6
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
2 Thess 3:10-11
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
- PRISCA : It Is Well – Her Faith - February 28, 2010
- The Ten Commandments – Worship of God - February 21, 2010
- BAITS OF SATAN – LAZINESS - February 14, 2010