IDLENESS
2 Thes. 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
Literally: Idleness is physically not working at all (NIV translation), is mentally having unoccupied minds, laziness to do any work, and caring nothing about.
Spiritually: Those who are busybodies but spiritually empty. We may be very busy doing work in our workplaces but this doesn’t exempt us from being idle.
We become idle spiritually when:
we work without the incorporation of love and without the purpose of glorifying God in all things that we do, (Colossians 3:17)
the goal is pleasing men instead of God, (Colossians 3:23)
our minds are preoccupied with worldly things and unoccupied with heavenly things, (Colossians 3:2)
Our motivation for work is the earthly riches and care less of the idea of supporting God’s kingdom. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Our work is probably one of the greatest testimonies of our faith!
God's Word makes it very clear that we are instructed to work hard and put our best effort forward. There is no instance in the bible that encourages us to be idle, lazy, or sluggard (read Proverbs 6:9-12, Proverbs 26:15, Proverbs 6:6, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 13:4) . The bible even warns us against idleness.
In 2 Thess. 3:6 Paul said,
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”
PRAYER
The solution to idleness is prayer. We are commanded to pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) most especially when we find ourselves being idle lest we fall into temptations. We are PRONE TO TEMPTATIONS during idle times. We are likely to be deceived by the enemy through overthinking, self-pity, gossiping (see proverbs).
We read how important prayer is in our daily reading today, 2 Thessalonians 3:1 that even Paul, who’s mighty in prayer, asked for it from the Thessalonians whom he also kept in prayer. Every victory that Paul celebrated is battled in prayer. He has seen the need and the power of praying with the saints.
Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
