READ: PROVERBS 6:6-11
Besides spiritual causes
of sleep, there several physical causes. One of these is boredom. In John
21:2-3, boredom made Peter to return to where he was called from. Jesus called
him from fishing to win souls. After the death and burial of Jesus, he became
so bored that he returned to his vomit. When you no longer have something to
fast about or aim at accomplishing, you will become bored. When there are no
new challenges and you have remained in the same place, doing the same thing, you
will become bored. Are you presently in that situation? Go to the Lord with the
problem as He will create fresh challenges that will stir up excitement in you.
Reject boredom!
“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer huger” (Proverbs 19:15).
Slothfulness, according to this passage, is another physical cause of spiritual slumber. The slothful is one who is idle or lazy. If you are idle in God’s house, you will fall prey to spiritual sleep. As the adage goes, ‘The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ If you are busy working for God, you will be very working against Satan. You cannot do both at the same time. If you do not actively and regularly occupy your heart with God’s word, Satan will fill up your heart with dirty and evil thoughts. If you are busy working for God, Satan will find no vacancy in you. Those who are gossiping, backbiting and peddling rumours are employed by Satan because they are idle.
The lazy are those who hate work. They like leisure. They like to enjoy the good things of life. They desire promotion and success but they never like to work for it. God hates lazy and idle people. How can you identify a lazy believer? He keeps company of directionless people (Proverbs 28:19). By doing, he accumulates years without something to show for it. According to Proverbs 24:30-34, he has accumulation of jobs. In his office, there is a heap of untreated files on his desk. In his parish, there is a list of converts and visitors that have not been followed up. Instead of working, he loves sleeping. He uses the slightest shower of rain or discomfort as excuse for not going to church. He boasts and makes idle threats and promises. He is never bound by his word (Proverbs 14:23). Search yourself!
“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer huger” (Proverbs 19:15).
Slothfulness, according to this passage, is another physical cause of spiritual slumber. The slothful is one who is idle or lazy. If you are idle in God’s house, you will fall prey to spiritual sleep. As the adage goes, ‘The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ If you are busy working for God, you will be very working against Satan. You cannot do both at the same time. If you do not actively and regularly occupy your heart with God’s word, Satan will fill up your heart with dirty and evil thoughts. If you are busy working for God, Satan will find no vacancy in you. Those who are gossiping, backbiting and peddling rumours are employed by Satan because they are idle.
The lazy are those who hate work. They like leisure. They like to enjoy the good things of life. They desire promotion and success but they never like to work for it. God hates lazy and idle people. How can you identify a lazy believer? He keeps company of directionless people (Proverbs 28:19). By doing, he accumulates years without something to show for it. According to Proverbs 24:30-34, he has accumulation of jobs. In his office, there is a heap of untreated files on his desk. In his parish, there is a list of converts and visitors that have not been followed up. Instead of working, he loves sleeping. He uses the slightest shower of rain or discomfort as excuse for not going to church. He boasts and makes idle threats and promises. He is never bound by his word (Proverbs 14:23). Search yourself!
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS 19:15 -Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall
suffer huger.
