Lesson #1

#10 Laziness

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:27-28

Dictionary Description of the Lazy Person Does not like that which requires physical or mental effort. Why? - Maturity - Selfishness

Dictionary Description of the Lazy Person Loves idleness

Bible Description of the Lazy Person Wasteful He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys. - Proverbs 18:9

Bible Description of the Lazy Person Full of Excuses The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. – Proverbs 26:13-14

Bible Description of the Lazy Person Wise in their own eyes The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. – Proverbs 26:16

The Dangers of Laziness 1. Leads to poverty Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger. – Proverbs 19:15

The Dangers of Laziness 2. Leads to shame He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. – Proverbs 10:5

The Dangers of Laziness 3. Leads to dissatisfaction The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat. – Proverbs 13:4

The Dangers of Laziness 4. Leads to slavery The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor. – Proverbs 12:24

Dealing with the Sin of Laziness 1. Acknowledge the Truth If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – I John 1:8-9

Dealing with the Sin of Laziness 2. Repent I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. – Luke 13:5

Acceptance that you have to work Repentance Requires: Acceptance that you have to work For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. – II Thess. 3:10

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - I Timothy 5:8

Repentance Requires: Doing it now! He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. – Ecclesiastes 11:4

Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. - Ecclesiastes 11:5-6

Repentance Requires: Cultivating a Christian attitude about work and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. – I Thess. 4:11-2

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, - Colossians 3:22-23

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. - Colossians 3:24

For the Spiritual Person, Work is: A witness An expression An offering

True Repentance for Laziness Requires: Admitting the truth Doing today’s things today A change in attitude about work