Articles
The Dangers of Laziness
Every individual who becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ should recognize the urgency in obeying the gospel, for they must have been convicted of their sins and understood the need for obedience to the will of Jesus Christ that they might have their sins forgiven and saved from the wrath of God. Every disciple should know and live as if every lost soul depends on them to be taught God’s word, but do we live like that is true? Do we actually live with the fact that all unbelievers are lost? And what of the work that is to be done within the church — teaching Bible classes or individuals, writing cards or calling, visiting the sick, strengthening the weak? Who is to do this work? “Someone Else”?
One thing we cannot afford to be as disciples is lazy. The wise writer describes the lazy man as one who is “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes…to those who send him” (Prov. 10:26), one who plans poorly (Prov. 20:4), and who is closely related to one who is an out-and-out destroyer (Prov. 18:9). In no way is the lazy disciple a benefit to the Lord, to His church, or to His people. In every way, the lazy man hinders the work, burdens others, and is displeasing to the Lord. Surely this is not who we desire to be! Laziness prevents spiritual growth and numerical growth for the simple fact no work is done, or it is slow in being accomplished, at best. Laziness is a kudzu vine that slowly takes over and destroys a church.
By definition, laziness means one is averse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion. Simply put, the lazy disciple will work his hardest when he is trying to avoid hard work! Laziness means little effort or exertion is put forth in the work that is done. It means, when the time comes to get to the work, the lazy disciple will pat you on the back to encourage you to do the work, but he will not join in. I understand that we need disciples who will be “encouragers” but when it comes to team events, the spectators sitting in the stands contribute nothing directly to help the team win the game!
In the lazy disciple’s effort to justify his laziness, many excuses will be offered. Now, as we consider these excuses, let us understand them in the context of the study; these are the excuses offered up by one too lazy to do the work and who is explaining his inactivity. We are not considering those who have legitimate reasons why they cannot do the work that needs to be done.
“I Can’t.” For the lazy disciple, this actually means “I don’t want to.” When the lazy disciple sees a work that has to be done that he or she simply does not want to do, this is the excuse most often given to avoid the work altogether. Jesus told a parable of a man who gave a great supper and invited many (Luke 14:16-24) and of those who were invited, one had the nerve to say, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:20). Was it that the man could not come or simply that he did not want to come? How much of the apparent laziness of disciples is based on a clear unwillingness to do the work, or certain tasks the Lord has given all disciples? How many disciples turn down opportunities for teaching others by using this excuse when the sad fact is, they simply do not want to do it?
We should be ashamed if we are averse to certain tasks simply because we do not want to do them. In plain terms, this is an attitude of rebellion for we are saying to the Lord, “I know what you commanded, but I just don’t want to do it!”
“I Don’t Know What To Do/Say.” Again, let me point out that this may be a legitimate reason for some; a babe in Christ may not know how to do some of the things the Lord has given His disciples and those tasks are for the more mature disciples. But in the context of our study, this is not the case with the lazy disciple; the fact is, the lazy disciple has always not known what to do or say but is too lazy to do something about it! Instead of learning how to do or say what needs to be done, the lazy disciple is perfectly content to sit back and do nothing, say nothing, and learn nothing.
Again, if this is our excuse, we should be ashamed of ourselves! Do we not remember that the Lord knows the hearts of all men (Psa. 44:21) and knows what we are able or unable to do? Do we honestly think we will fool Him — either now or on our Judgment Day?
Laziness among the disciples of Jesus Christ is especially dangerous, given the work we have been given to do. What if every disciple was as the lazy disciple? How much work would be accomplished? Here’s where we need to make it very personal and ask ourselves this question: “If every disciple did as much work as I am doing, what would the church be like today?” Be honest! Would you be happy with the answer?
Consider, also, the words of Jesus and the great work that lies before us. When Jesus saw the multitudes who followed Him, He was moved with compassion for them and he then turned to His disciples and said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37, 38). The situation has not gotten any better since the day of Christ; we still have much work to do and few laborers willing to do the work. Right now, there are almost eight billion people living on this earth; how many, do you suppose, are saved? Right now, we have many of our own members here at Rosenberg and brethren in other places who need our prayers and assistance; who, do you suppose, will do the work and pray the prayers and give the rides and do the visiting? Right now, we have many people who need to be taught and Bible classes that could use some dedicated and responsible teachers; who, do you suppose, will do the work of teaching? Can we all just sit back in our big, fat Lazy-Boy chair and wait for “Someone Else” to do the work?
After Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar, He spoke to the disciples about the impending harvest they apparently believed was still afar off (John 4:35). Yet, in the time He was separated form the disciples, Jesus spoke to the woman and she had gone to those in the city and they were about to come out to Him. The seed was already planted but it would not be long before fruit was produced! Has not the seed been planted all around us? Are we planting the seed of the Word of God? Are we ready to reap the harvest of souls, or will we sit back and wait for “Someone Else” to do the work? Let us remember that in all work of the crops, there is planting, and there is also watering, knowing it is God who gives the increase (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6, 7); let us resolve to do our part — whatever it may be — to bring in the harvest of souls for Jesus Christ. Let’s not sit back and wait for “Someone Else” to do the work or some of the potential crops may be burned up!
The disciple of Jesus Christ should be a diligent seeker of God (Heb. 11:6) diligent to know His word (2 Tim. 2:15), diligent to grow (2 Pet. 1:5-11) and diligent to enter into the eternal rest (Heb. 4:11); at no time should a disciple be described as ‘lazy’!
When we look at how far God and Christ have gone for us in the effort to save us from our sins, we really look foolish when we complain about the little things we do for Him. Let us instead be diligent disciples, “be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Laziness will keep us from the final reward! — Steven Harper
