When did you last use the word “sloth?” In today’s vernacular, words akin to lazy, idle, apathetic, or inactive often replace the word sloth. Sometimes, even “slothfulness” as an idea seems unrelatable in our busy lives.
A friend once declared that God’s Word guarantees He will provide, so he didn’t must get a job. To defend his decision, he rested on his chosen smorgasbord of supporting Bible verses, many out of context and misconstrued. Although others in his circle called his inaction slothful, my friend dug in. He unwisely equated his intentional lack of labor with reliance on God.
Like other sins, the sin of sloth is generated from the guts, reflected through outward motion and inaction. We find something deeper and broader once we have a look at the inward condition from which slothfulness comes. There, we discover a heart attitude leisurely having fun with the corporate of other sins.
Although the term “sloth” sounds antiquated, the issue isn’t. So, what does the Bible mean when it talks about laziness and the sin of sloth?
Where Does the Bible Mention the Sin of Sloth?
The Bible often discusses the results and behavior of slothful people. Both the Old Testament and New Testament condemn sloth as sin. However, Proverbs most frequently addresses it, characterizing it as ungodly conduct.
The Hebrew word atsal translates to “sluggard,” “lazy,” or “slacker” in lots of English translations. It describes one as idle, indolent, or sluggish. The picture of arms crossed, resting lazily against a wall while others work is a picture that comes quickly to mind. We have all played each parts—the lethargic watcher and the busy laborer—at a while or one other.
Laziness, described as an absence of motivation, will be displayed through behaviors like avoidance, lethargy, apathy, and emotional or physical disengagement. These behaviors may stem from different sources. Fear often prompts a reluctance to motion. Selfishness, lack of purpose, and uncaring attitudes all contribute to the inactivity or unresponsiveness we deem lazy.
Proverbs 13:4 describes lazy people as wanting much but getting little and starkly contrasts them with those that change into prosperous by labor.
Proverbs 21:25 predicts damage for the lazy person. Proverbs 6:9 describes them as someone who wastes time and life.
The lazy person depicted in Proverbs 19:24 is apathetic—a lot in order that he doesn’t even hassle to place food into his mouth.
Proverbs 10:4 shows poverty as a logical consequence of laziness and contrasts it with those that gain wealth from their diligence.
The problem of sloth sin didn’t go away within the New Testament. There, it’s decried as the alternative of a productive Christian life. One of the Greek words utilized in the unique text is ataktos, which implies disorderly, irresponsible, or undisciplined. We see this in passages just like the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy: “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his relatives, and particularly for members of his household, he has denied the religion and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8 ESV).
“Now we command you, brothers, within the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you simply steer clear of any brother who’s walking in idleness and never in accord with the tradition that you simply received from us.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV)
The Apostle Paul continues on this strong passage about slothful behavior with this warning: “For even once we were with you, we might offer you this command: If anyone isn’t willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV).
Why Do We Call the Sin Sloth?
The above verses describe behavior with which God isn’t pleased.
Slothfulness demonstrates a heart disconnected from God’s commands and priorities. His ways and decrees demand love, loyalty, and purpose. They require diligence, courage, and strength. They invite the very best of us moderately than partial or half-hearted service. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and never for men, knowing that from the Lord you’ll receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).
A loyal servant of God produces outward actions that please Him. They stem from internal conviction, industriousness, conscientiousness, and devoted servanthood growing out of a love relationship. Sloth sin demonstrates the antithesis of vibrant devotion to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Without a Biblical understanding of God’s design for humankind, the guts strays to apathy and lack of purpose. In Genesis, God created humanity to work. The Creator strategically placed Adam and Eve to work within the Garden and take care of what He made before sin entered the scene. Work was not punishment then, neither is it now.
The sin of sloth stems from a careless relationship with God, which allows other desires to squelch or undermine His design and good for us. The Bible espouses a piece ethic that reflects to whom our service belongs. When we work with a heart motivated by Christ, we bring Him honor and glory.
What Separates Sloth from Laziness?
Although some view sloth and laziness as separate problems, dictionaries define them as synonymous. Sloth is typically distinguished as the foundation reason for laziness. Separating the sin of sloth and laziness is difficult to support in Scripture. They appear interchangeably within the Bible as well. Distinctions may result from various translations derived from the identical root.
However, the sin of sloth is broader than the vague category of laziness. Excuses for not cleansing the home, doing homework later, or pushing aside mowing the lawn may definitely stem from laziness. However, sometimes the sin is more subtle. It can show up even on our busiest days.
Avoiding problems, apathy, procrastination, and an absence of caring are also slothful attitudes. They center on the self.
If we consider sloth an issue stemming from a spiritual issue, we are able to see how easily these attitudes may spread to other areas without our awareness. Avoidance deters us from pursuing and accomplishing God’s call. It often chooses mindless tasks and overly busy schedules, which may also be a type of sloth.
Being too busy with something to shun something else, moderately than in search of what God wants us to do, spawns from a heart that nurtures my pleasures above God’s. It may manifest by neglecting care or not providing for one more’s needs.
Screen time, social media, and mind-numbing device scrolling not only devour time but in addition foster and create difficult-to-change habits of lethargy.
Procrastination often hides behind schedules and difficult workloads. Sloth’s ploy may make us feel too busy to make a significant job or profession change. It might cause us to forestall what we must do for other activities we’d moderately be doing. From the guts, slothful subtilities find their way outward.
Sloth distracts from doing God’s core purpose and principal desires. Certainly, nobody is resistant to substituting God’s best for a more comfortable, less intimidating, or easier endeavor. Sloth tempts everyone.
Why Is Sloth Considered a Deadly Sin?
The theology of the Roman Catholic church teaches that the sin of sloth is considered one of seven deadly sins. Pope Gregory the Great taught the list of seven sins, which the church adopted as a doctrine within the sixth century. The seven—pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth—are taught as basic vices that nurture greater sins.
Although these seven sins are denounced in Scripture, and sin does birth more sin, this precise list of deadly sins isn’t present in the Bible. However, the Bible makes it clear that every one sin is deadly. “For all have sinned and fall wanting the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV).
Sin has separated us from God and brought spiritual and physical death to humankind. The Bible teaches us that we’re all sinners who need salvation. “For by grace you will have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it’s the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV).
Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the everlasting death we’ve inherited through our sinful nature. The gift of grace waits for all who will receive it.
How Do We Watch Out for Sloth Today?
I started this text by asking whenever you last used the word “sloth.” Now, let me ask whenever you last confessed the sin of sloth in your life. If sloth still exists and manifests itself in other ways, as believers, we must always be watchful of its presence in our each day lives.
- The sin of sloth reveals pride: “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” (Proverbs 26:16 ESV)
- Sloth serves the self and impedes generosity: “Let the thief not steal, but moderately let him labor, doing honest work along with his own hands, in order that he could have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV)
- Sloth opens the door to meddlesome behavior: “For we hear that some amongst you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such individuals we command and encourage within the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their very own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV)
- Sloth destroys through wastefulness: “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” (Proverbs 18:9 ESV)
Rarely have I confessed slothfulness as a sin to God, perhaps because I haven’t recognized it. The sin of sloth begs us to think about and examine our hearts.
Let’s also return to my friend who didn’t feel a must work a job. Many of us who is likely to be guilty of being too busy could find it easy to evaluate him as lazy. And we is likely to be right. But laziness will be present even within the busiest of times.
Sloth is usually at the foundation of apathy about reading our Bibles or once we avoid gathering with His people. We may not recognize it in our hustle and bustle, which neglects spending time with family or puts off making necessary decisions. Yet, it’s there too. Unproductiveness, wasting time, or unprofitable use of time all relate to a heart where sloth has taken up residence.
Our lives belong to God. As we prayerfully consider areas in our lives and examine our hearts for the sin of sloth, we’ll change into more equipped to combat it and experience victory over it. We find purpose and renewed productivity as we diligently direct our time and energy to please Him.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/SB Arts Media
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d like to inform you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
This article is an element of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. Here are a few of our hottest articles covering Christian terms to assist your journey of information and faith:
The Full Armor of God
The Meaning of “Selah”
What Is Grace? Bible Definition and Christian Quotes
What is Discernment? Bible Meaning and Importance
What Is Prophecy? Bible Meaning and Examples
