Hello Greatness,
We are continuing with the series today. And the writer for today is also a writer. I like the way he breaks down scriptures. I hope you enjoy this piece.
I sat down to reflect over the topic “The Sin of Laziness”. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, I search
the scriptures on laziness, but on the contrast, received the insights on the essence of the “Take
dominion” instruction outlined in Genesis I: 26 paraphrased “Let us make man in our own image that he may have rule over all the things we have created. Also, Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply”. At this point I nodded my head, laziness could indeed be a sin against God. Why?
This is because God mandated us in those 2 verses of scripture to have dominion over, or to rule over, and be fruitful. What is a mandate? An official order or commission to do something. We know very well that it takes diligence and hard work to be in charge or rule, even to experience any form of fruitfulness. This is God’s instruction to us, and anyone who flouts His instruction has sinned-the sin of disobedience.
Obedience is the practical acceptance of the activity and will of God. It includes submitting, and then expressing that submission in action, words, and thoughts. John 14:15&21 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me”
Obeying God requires taking corresponding actions in order to carry out the assignment.
Laziness is not of God, He is perfect example of hard work. Genesis 1:1-31, and Genesis 2:1-2, 8 &15.
For instance, Jesus, throughout His ministry exemplified hard work John 15:17 paraphrased “My father worked, I must work. Adam, the first man before the fall was a hard worker. Genesis
2:8&15 Adam took care of the Garden of Eden. Hence, if we are true lovers of God, then slothfulness is not an option because it erodes us of our purpose and destiny. Proverbs 12:24 & 27 “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. The lazy do not roast[a] any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
In this piece, I will be touching on the two forms of laziness:
Laziness of the Mind
Laziness of the body
Man is triumphant in nature. He is made up of the spirit, soul (mind), and the body.
The laziness of the mind! Proverbs 4:3 paraphrased “Guard your heart because what goes in and proceeds defines your life” The mind is a goldmine, and at the same time, a platform for
destruction. The mind has great power to propel anyone to any desired height when it is engaged productively. However, if man chooses not to productively engage the mind, laziness sets in.
Proverbs 23:7 paraphrased “A man is a product of his thought’. God expects us to engage our
mind productively. Genesis 2:19-20 “And Adam named all the animal creation of God without
any help”. The verse said “And God brought the animals to Adam to see if he could engage his
mind to name them” The mind is powerful, it must be engaged to prevent its utility in vices.
Therefore, anyone who refuses to engage his or her mind is doing so against the will of God.
Laziness of the mind is a function of inactivity, either as lack of positive engagement, or those
we keep as friends. Proverbs 13:20 paraphrased “If you keep a company of those who will help
you engage your mind productively, achieving anything will be possible through the help of
God. Philippians 2:5 “we are expected to have the mind of Christ, Jesus engaged is mind
productively during His ministry here on earth. John 8:1&8 paraphrased “Jesus stooped down
and created a solution through the art of meditation. Proverbs 18: 1 paraphrased “A productive mind, through the art of meditation generates outstanding results with the wisdom”.
The bible talked about the spirit of man being the candle that helps you to dig through the
treasures in you Proverbs 20:27, which is why it is important to have a close relationship with the Spirit of God, as this will help ignite the spirit of man to engage the mind productively. Until a candle is lit, the purpose is defeated; same is the mind, until it engaged, its purpose is forfeited.
In other words, slothfulness (laziness) is not of God, and anything outside God’s commandment
or will is a sin.
Laziness can be overturned just by following the dictates of God in obedience through active
engagement of the mind, discipline, diligence, and commitment.
Abiodun Olajire is a a passionate follower and lover of Jesus Christ; whose heartbeat is to see people restored back to God’s original plan for their lives through the platform of ‘Hope’, their circumstances regardless. You can go to his blog Living In Hopes.
Thanks for reading!
With exceeding love,
Mz_Ola.
God's Unfolding Grace 