Sloth is not just doing “nothing,” it is often doing something else, other than what needs to be done. Humans are easily distracted and easily addicted.
Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” (NKJV)

The New Living Translation Bible says it this way, “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” (NLT-SE)

Sloth is a sin and diligence is a virtue. Sloth is defined as: reluctant to work or make an effort; loose. In Hebrew the word sloth means to be slack or loose, like a bow not strung or equipped with an arrow for action.

Sloth is fatal to spiritual progress. Your main ministry should be your spiritual progress. Sloth encroaches on other areas of your life. It is opposed to effort, prefers inaction, and it gives you no chance at endurance or consistency. Sloth leaves you vulnerable!

Proverbs 6:6–11 says, “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? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (NKJV)

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

Proverbs 24:30–34 says, “I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (NKJV)

To be so slow…it sure is tricky!

Sloth is not just doing “nothing,” it is often doing something else, other than what needs to be done. Humans are easily distracted and easily addicted! The enemy exploits this! Our biggest problem is not what we did with our time; it is what we didn’t do with our time! 

We miss opportunities because of wrong investment. This leads to emptiness (in our life, mind, and soul). Then it leads to consequence, which leads to excuses. We make excuses and give in to circumstance, which empowers our situation and disempowers us!

Sloth disguises itself as “harmless activity” or seemingly meaningful activity.  Sloth destroys priorities.

Sloth is a sin of omission; neglecting what is right.

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

The Biblical Knowledge Commentary says, “A person who does his work poorly or carelessly is a brother, similar to one who destroys. A poor, unfinished or un-started job differs little from a project that someone demolished; both projects are valueless.”

Joshua 18:3 says, “Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” (NLT-SE)

In Matthew 24, Jesus teaches the parable of the talents. The one who buried his talent “did nothing.” Jesus called him “wicked and lazy.”  When God gives you something and you don’t use it properly, that can be considered wicked and lazy.

Motivators against sloth:
1. Relationships. People are counting on you!
2. Rewards. When we do right, there is a reward.
3. Repercussions. When we don’t do it, it will cost us.
4. Realize it. Realize you are easily distracted.
5. Resolve to act. Sloth is an act of the will, choosing to “not” do something.  An antidote would be an act of the will, resolve to do!
6. Rely on help from above! Human resolve PLUS divine power! Give it to God and God meets you here!

Romans 12:11 says, “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” (NKJV)