Is laziness a sin?
Webster’s definition of laziness is: Lazy, indolent, slothful
These adjectives mean not disposed to exertion, work, or activity: the trait of being idle out of a reluctance to work: apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins)
We tend to think of sin as doing something we should not do, but it is also considered a sin if you don’t do something that you should be doing. In the Old Testament working on the Sabbath was considered a grievous sin, while not honoring your parents also considered a sin. So as you can see it is not only what we do that which we shouldn’t, but it’s also not doing what we should. This is why laziness is considered one of the seven deadly sins.
What are some of the signs of laziness? Is it neglecting our responsibilities? Is it just doing what has to be done, never going the extra foot let alone an extra mile? Is being complacent in our faith also considered laziness? Did you ever read in the Bible where God says, lay around, relax, take it easy, and when the mood strikes do something? Or does he say: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. When you think of laziness what comes to your mind? Are you the kind person that asks what can I do for you, or what else needs to be done? Or when we have a task ahead of us do we pray to God to make it easy or get us out of it altogether?
Laziness should never be mistaken for restfulness. After six days of creating the world and everything in it God rested on the seventh day. But restfulness should come after work, after the job gets done, or you’ve worked until your energy is spent. There are days when I ask myself am I being lazy, or am I being restful, because my energy is spent? We all have demons that we must fight, perhaps laziness is one of mine. I know I don’t seem to get as much done nowadays as I did 20 years ago anyway.
As parents it is very important that we teach our children the responsibility of work. They never should be allowed to sit all day in front of any type of entertainment, (TV, telephones, video games), for two reasons. One, is for their physical well-being, to be strong and healthy they need to be active. The second reason is, because they are accomplishing absolutely nothing. The Bible tells us in 2 Thessalonians: the ones that do not work should not be allowed to eat.
We as authors can get what we like to call writer’s block, which can trigger a bout of laziness. If we would take that writer’s block and just do some free writing, of anything that comes into our head, we would still be productive, and we could unblock our brain. Falling into complacency, slothfulness, or just plain laziness, can be addicting. So jump up, run around the house three times, get your blood flowing, and get back to work.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 10:5
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 13:4
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2 Thessalonians 3:10