Christians today throughout the world are living in a frantic technological age, swamped by information overload. Gadgets, inventions, and new computer software constantly challenge us to keep up with the wave of new gizmos flooding the market, most of which are supposed to “make our life easier.” While most Christians might describe themselves as “very busy,” the question that needs to be asked is this, “Are they busy living their life for the glory of God?” Usually the answer is, “No.”
It is difficult to find a group of men who actually want to labor in Bible study and the things that bring about spiritual growth. A few are willing to attend a Bible study, as long as it is convenient and doesn't interfere with “more important things.” Very few are willing to work diligently at growing in their walk with the Lord... maturing spiritually. They live a life that is both frantically worldly and spiritually lazy. They may work very hard at their jobs, advancing up the ladder, earning promotions, raises and the like... but they seldom share their faith, stand up for the truth, or try to evangelize their co–workers. They are spiritual chameleons blending in with the children of Satan... neglecting to live for God in the world. People like this are very busy spiritual sluggards. A prickly title, but it fits.
There are also those who have reached retirement age, those who are not married, and those who are home from college for the summer and these people may have lots of time to do many things. The world would have people like this kickback... sleep, relax, and fritter away their time on things that have no eternal significance. The easy chair, the couch, and the bed can become three of your best friends. If you don't discipline yourself, you can become a Christian three-toed sloth.
And then there are the youth of this generation who have been raised to be lazy. They don't have to make their beds because mom does that. They don't do their laundry, or even know how, because mom does that too. They don't clean the bathrooms, vacuum, cook dinner, do dishes, or take out the trash because mom and dad do those things. They don't lift a finger to help dad with the yard work, because the gardener or mowing service does that. They don't wash the car, because the people at the car wash do that. They don't fix things like leaky faucets, broken appliances, or paint things that need painting because paid professionals do those things. During the school year they may reluctantly do homework, but prefer playing video games, watching TV and hanging out with their friends at the mall or some other place... away from home and family. They are like the two daughters of the leech, whose names are “Give and Give” (Proverbs 30:15)
Regardless of how frantic and busy your life may be, one thing is certain: God wants you to serve Him every waking minute, of every day, with all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your soul and all of your strength. Are you doing that? If you are in doubt... maybe it’s time to look in the mirror of your Christian life and see what looks back at you.
Laziness, can become an entrenched lifestyle that is hard to break free from. Leisure time, rest and relaxation, vacations to exotic places are heavily promoted in our cultures. We come to believe at an early age that we are entitled to leisure time and the temptation to “kickback” can be very powerful... so powerful in fact that leisure time can literally regulate our life agenda.
God made us to work. Even before the fall of man, he was ordained to work, to be productive. Work was to be a dominate part of the life experience. And the Bible is clear, because the Lord ordained work for man, laziness is sin. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
The Bible has a great deal to say about laziness. Proverbs is especially filled with wisdom concerning laziness and warnings to the lazy person. Proverbs tells us that a lazy person hates work: “The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work” (21:25); he loves sleep: “As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed” (26:14); he gives excuses: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets’” (26:13); he wastes time and energy: “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great waster” (18:9 KJV); he believes he is wise, but is a fool: “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly” (26:16).
Proverbs also tells us the end in store for the lazy: A lazy person becomes a servant (or debtor): “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (12:24); his future is bleak: “A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing” (20:4); he may come to poverty: “The soul of the lazy man desires and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (13:4 KJV).
There is no room for laziness in the life of a Christian. A new believer is truthfully taught that “…it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
A believer can become “spiritually lazy” if he erroneously believes that God expects no fruit from a transformed life. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). If you think that getting “baptized” completes your life as a Christian, you are sadly mistaken. Indeed Christians are not saved by works, but they are most assuredly defined by what they do for God – works. Christians show their love and faith for God by their works on behalf of His Kingdom (James 2:18, 26). Slothfulness violates God’s intended purpose for His people... good works. The Lord, however, empowers Christians to overcome the flesh’s propensity to laziness by giving us a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). In this “new skin” so to speak... our real work begins and there’s no room for laziness.
In our new nature, we are motivated to diligence and productiveness out of a love for our Savior who redeemed us. Our old tendency towards laziness—and all other sin—has been replaced by a desire to live godly lives. As Paul said to the Ephesians... “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28). We are convicted of our need to provide for our families through our labors... “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8); and for all others in the family of God: “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:34-35).
As Christians, we know that our labors will be rewarded by our Lord if we persevere in diligence: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10); “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24); “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).
Christians should work hard, propelled by God’s power, to evangelize and disciple seekers of truth at every opportunity. The apostle Paul is a fine example of one who understood that his labors brought good to everyone his “works” touched: “We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:28-29).
God knows our needs and our limits. He knows when we need rest and relaxation. We have a great work to do in fulfilling the “all consuming” Great Commission. Our primary life focus must be devoted to proclaiming the gospel message to a lost and searching world. Read the book of Proverbs... read the many examples throughout Scripture of those who served God faithfully, and you will not find a single one who spent their time vacationing and relaxing.
God is very clear on the matter of laziness... being sluggardly in personal spiritual growth, disinterested in serving the needs of the Church and in caring for widows and orphans and failing to bear with one another in all things... is all sin. A Christian’s lifestyle of “laziness” carries with it serious consequences.
