What Does The Bible Say About Laziness?

Is laziness a sin? Is it okay to be a lazy Christian? What does God think about laziness? How can you overcome the spirit of laziness? If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’re in the right place. While laziness is not judged as harshly by society or even other Christians as sins like murder, adultery, fornication, etc, it is still a sin and a spiritual weight that can completely distance you from God and his purpose for your life. We can spend hours talking about why laziness is bad in all aspects of our lives, but today we’re just going to focus on what the bible says about laziness.

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SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE LAZY?

Because God is a God of action, we should also be Christian’s that ACT.

Throughout scripture, God teaches us to not sit back and let things be, but to fervently pray, walk, and grow in Him. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” (NLT)

If we jump all the way back to Genesis 1 (the beginning of everything), we see God working, cleaning, and creating. And we also see God resting on the final day. God teaches us the perfect balance between being active in him and also resting in Him

There’s a huge difference between resting in Jesus (you can read all about resting in Jesus when you’re spiritually exhausted, here) and being spiritually lazy.

So, should christians be lazy? Absolutely not. As children of God, we should follow our Father’s example of leading active godly lives.

WHAT DO LAZY CHRISTIANS DO?

Now you’re probably wondering, what exactly makes you a lazy christian? If you’re not sure if you’re being a lazy christian or you’re simply resting in Jesus, below I’m going to share bad spiritual habits that laziness can produce in your life. Go through the list and see if there are any habits you have been practicing/following yourself.

Laziness makes Christians:

• Stop reading scripture.
• Eliminate prayer from their life.
• Stop going to church.
• Say no to God’s plans.
• Lose interest in godly things.
• Avoid listening to God’s voice.
• Come up with excuses to avoid God’s missions.
• Hide from God.

IS LAZINESS A SIN?

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (NKJV)

God has not only created us and called us for good works, but he has also given us the perfect example to follow. So, if we know that we should be active Christians who follow God’s example of work, choosing to be lazy is a sin.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT LAZINESS?

So, what does the bible say about laziness? Let’s take a look at 10 bible verses on laziness.

1. If you’re a lazy Christian, you’ll not only spend your life spiritually asleep but you’ll also starve yourself from all of God’s words, promises, and teachings for your life.

Proverbs 19:15 Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry. (NKJV)

2. Laziness enslaves you.

Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. (NKJV)

3. Laziness provokes destruction.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. (NKJV)

4. Laziness prevents you from inheriting promises.

Hebrews 6:12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (NKJV)

5. The way of a lazy person is like a hedge of thorns.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. (NKJV)

6. Laziness goes hand in hand with destruction.

Proverbs 18:9 He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. (NKJV)

7. A lazy person has good intentions, but doesn’t act.

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. (NKJV)

8. A lazy person gives us easily.

Proverbs 19:24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. (NKJV)

9. Laziness leads to spiritual poverty.

Proverbs 10:4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. (NKJV)

10. A lazy person desires, but has nothing.

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. (NKJV)

EXAMPLE OF LAZINESS IN THE BIBLE:

The Lazy Servant

Matthew 25:24-29 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it……To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. (NKJV)

In this part of scripture, we learn about a servant who was too lazy to harvest the crops his master trusted him with. Instead of following his master’s orders, he sat around with the crops and waited until his mastered returned. When his master returned, the only thing the servant had to offer was excuses.

“I couldn’t do this because blah blah blah……” Sound familiar?

When we let laziness take over our lives, we fail to complete the missions that God gives us. God has given us crops (His word/gifts), not to simply sit around with these crops, but to use them and plant them in our lives and in the lives of others.

A CALL TO GIVE UP LAZINESS

Follow the example of the ant – who works even without having a captain.

Proverbs 6:6-9 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? (NKJV)

Be wise and redeem your time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (NKJV)

Do everything to glorify god (remember, laziness does not glorify God)

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NKJV)

Remember what God created YOU for: to walk in good works.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJV)

PRAYER AGAINST LAZINESS

Heavenly Father, I pray that you examine my heart, my ways, and my mind. If you have seen laziness in me or any lazy habit, I pray that you purify my soul and remove all laziness from my life. I pray that any Spirit of laziness leaves my life in the name of Jesus. I want to walk according to your plan, follow your footsteps, and live an active life in YOU and you alone. Lord, please break my heart from all things that produce laziness in my life and help me follow you with a diligent, sober, and genuine heart. I pray all of this in Jesus’s name. Amen and amen.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you found this post helpful and learned a little bit more on what the Bible says about laziness. Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on this topic and what you’re going to do to be a productive christian! 🙂

Also, I am currently working on a new series where we discover what the Bible says about certain topics. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming next:

What does the Bible say about

• Sin
• Distractions
• Bad habits
• Ignorance
• Lack of commitment
• Fear
• Guilt
• Ambition
• Discouragement

Let me know if there are topics you’d like us to study together!

More posts You May Like:

• Who Does God Say I am?
• How To Rest In Jesus When You’re Exhausted.
• 20 Of Satan’s Lies To Replace With God’s Truth
• 10 Powerful Questions For Christians To Answer
• 3 Best Tips To Build A Relationship With God
• 10 Best Ways To Stay Connected To God Daily

Sending you blessings & love,

Gabby Abigail

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