One of the challenges we Christians are facing is related to our ability to progress, for progression, as ascension, requires determination and tenacity. Furthermore, a large number of deterrents can stand in our way, rendering our continuation grueling and effortful. Since it is so, laziness must be regarded as a pernicious foe, for it has the power to shackle us down as to make our progress unattainable.
Four vulnerable areas
There are four basic areas through which laziness can express itself and we will do well if we keep them in check, for laziness often lurks in the bushes of self-complacency, awaiting an opportunity to creep in and invade our dearest tomorrows. It can come upon us after a great achievement, but also after a season of spiritual neglect. Its steps are generally inconspicuous and its invasion can be as slow as devastative.
Now let me introduce the four realms in which laziness can furtively encroach on our spiritual advancement. We have them listed in the book of Proverbs:
The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed. 15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” (Prov. 26:13–16)
When I say laziness can manifest itself in four basic areas it doesn’t necessarily mean that the four areas will be affected at once. Yet, if we are not careful, these four areas can be eventually contaminated by a slothful nonchalance. It might take some time, for laziness is in no hurry. It is precisely its snaillike pace that can hypnotize its prey and make it an easy victim. So let’s have a look at the four expressions of laziness.
Frontal laziness
“The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” (Prov. 26:13)
Here we have a person easily dissuaded by the circumstances he faces, or even by those he could possibly face. He simply doesn’t want to invest effort when it can be avoided and therefore any excuse seems valid for the lotus-eater.
There is another verse in the book of Proverbs which gives a good example of frontal laziness. It reads:
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Prov. 20:4 KJV)
We must notice here that it is truly cold, i.e., the circumstances are not favorable. But in spite of it the diligent person will confront the frigid weather to secure his future. In other words, he will progress although the circumstances are not supportive. But in high contrast, the sluggard will remain in his comfort zone as one unaware of the detrimental side effects of his complacency: “therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”
Frontal laziness can be described as a refusal to face what needs to be faced to get what needs to be gotten. Therefore it demolishes the very core of progress and paves the way for a pernicious regression.
Horizontal laziness
This form of laziness has become the main representative of the four. As we have read earlier in the book of Proverbs:
As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed.”
The sluggard must thus turn because after ten hours of sleep he cannot find a comfortable position to keep slumbering.
One of the bad things with horizontal laziness is that it’s generally doomed to grow, for more a person sleeps, more sleep that person needs. It is so because the human body can be trained for anything. For instance, the more one runs, the more he can run. The more weight one lifts, the more weight he can lift. The same is applicable to sleep. Therefore horizontal laziness brings its victims down the spiral without any remorse, and here again the eventual results are pitiable:
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, 8 provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man” (Prov. 6:6–11) — The same in Prov. 24:30–34.
Vertical laziness
“The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.” (Prov. 26:15)
Here the sluggard is no longer in bed, but he can hardly put his hand to his mouth. In other words, in the verses under consideration, laziness is pictured as a degenerative process. Everything is too much, too heavy, too far, too difficult, and the list goes on and on for the loafer. Consequently, you will find him complaining; hiding when there is work to be done; and exhausted before he crosses the doorway. This, and little else, is the mindset of the slug.
Mental laziness
“The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” (Prov. 26:16).
Here the lazy man is pictured as one who, with a minimal mental effort, arrives to some conclusions; and his conclusions make him believe he is wiser than seven men who can answer sensibly. Actually, his arrogant approach is a deceptive cover-up. The fact is: he doesn’t want to debate with seven men who can answer sensibly because it would entail a mental effort, an effort from which he shrinks intentionally. The sluggard prefers conclusions born of indolence and ease from which he will not depart. In actuality, his conceit is based on the fact that he doesn’t know how ignorant he is. His lack of knowledge has become the foundation of his pretended wisdom.
Diligence versus laziness
The best way to protect ourselves from laziness is to strive to become diligent. The person who settles between these two diametric positions puts himself in a place of vulnerability. He can be compared to the lukewarm person of Revelation 3:16, undecided and unstable. Laziness loves this kind of people and awaits for them behind the shrubs of remissness.
Here stands the testimony of the Scriptures:
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Prov. 10:4)
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” (Prov. 12:24)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” (Prov. 13:4)
These scriptures, among others, should spur us on and lead us to emulate the saints of old who progressed amid opposition and hardship. Yes! Putting their hand to the plow they refused to look back to the land of comfort and ease and ascended on God’s heights with glory and victory. This, and nothing less, is the path to walk on, even when exhausted, but still pursuing (Judges 8:4).
If you think this post can help somebody you can share it with the options presented bellow.
