Prep Notes - Wednesday, May 13
FIGHTING SLOTH
Historically, sloth is defined not just as physical laziness (although this can be a prevalent symptom), but as spiritual malaise, indifference, or callousness. It is the pursuit of comfort and ease above all else.
The Book of Proverbs helps us see just how damaging this sin can be.
SLOTH DISTORTS REALITY
* Proverbs 26:13–16 – The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
* Proverbs 15:19 – The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
* Proverbs 14:23 – In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
When comfort is our highest aim, loving ourselves and others well will always seem like a lion in the streets.
In what ways have you experienced this distortion of reality?
SLOTH DELAYS HARDSHIP
* Proverbs 10:4–5 – A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
* Proverbs 12:27 – Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
When comfort is our highest aim, we will miss the fruit of an attentive life.
In what ways have you avoided the hard thing needed?
SLOTH DEEPENS PAIN
* Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
* Proverbs 21:25–26 – The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
* Proverbs 18:9 – Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
* Proverbs 19:15 – Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
* Proverbs 24:30–34 – I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
When comfort is our highest aim, we will ruin our lives and the lives of others.
In what ways have you overlooked the damage of a slothful spirit?
BUILDING FORTITUDE
Galatians 6:7–10 | Wearing the path of peace out of sloth is not a solo sport, but does require individual intention.
7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
- Be honest - what are you sowing into? If your life is frustrating and unfulfilling, maybe you are sowing into the wrong things.
8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
- Sowing to the flesh is not just obvious sin, it is the subtle sin of self-gratification at the expense of others.
- We will be perpetually enslaved to the short term if we are not sowing into the Spirit.
9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- This work takes time and it takes trust of Jesus. Will he really reward my faithfulness in the small things?
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Are we willing to be inconvenienced for one another? Are we willing to suffer for each other?
The Book of Proverbs helps us see just how damaging this sin can be.
SLOTH DISTORTS REALITY
* Proverbs 26:13–16 – The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
* Proverbs 15:19 – The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
* Proverbs 14:23 – In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
When comfort is our highest aim, loving ourselves and others well will always seem like a lion in the streets.
In what ways have you experienced this distortion of reality?
SLOTH DELAYS HARDSHIP
* Proverbs 10:4–5 – A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
* Proverbs 12:27 – Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
When comfort is our highest aim, we will miss the fruit of an attentive life.
In what ways have you avoided the hard thing needed?
SLOTH DEEPENS PAIN
* Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
* Proverbs 21:25–26 – The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
* Proverbs 18:9 – Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
* Proverbs 19:15 – Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
* Proverbs 24:30–34 – I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
When comfort is our highest aim, we will ruin our lives and the lives of others.
In what ways have you overlooked the damage of a slothful spirit?
BUILDING FORTITUDE
Galatians 6:7–10 | Wearing the path of peace out of sloth is not a solo sport, but does require individual intention.
7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
- Be honest - what are you sowing into? If your life is frustrating and unfulfilling, maybe you are sowing into the wrong things.
8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
- Sowing to the flesh is not just obvious sin, it is the subtle sin of self-gratification at the expense of others.
- We will be perpetually enslaved to the short term if we are not sowing into the Spirit.
9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- This work takes time and it takes trust of Jesus. Will he really reward my faithfulness in the small things?
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Are we willing to be inconvenienced for one another? Are we willing to suffer for each other?
No Comments