Life Application Study Bible Seven Deadly Sins - Flipbook - Page 9
7.
SLOTH
Sloth is spiritual apathy. It undercuts our desire for God and our interest in him. “Pride may be the
root of all evil,” observes theologian R. R. Reno in First Things (August 2003), “but in our day, the
trunk, branches, and leaves of evil are characterized by a belief that moral responsibility, spiritual
effort, and religious discipline are empty burdens, ineffective and archaic demands that cannot
lead us forward, inaccessible ideals that, even if we believe in them, are beyond our capacity.” This
is sloth.
Jesus points to the “hunger and thirst for justice” (Matthew 5:6) as the remedy for sloth. God alone
satisfies the deepest desires of the human heart. Sensuality, technology, money, and power are
just a few of the false gods that leave us ultimately empty. Anyone who truly seeks God will find
him (Matthew 7:7-8) and will have the joy that overcomes sloth.
SCRIPTURES AND LIFE APPLICATION NOTES
Colossians 3:23, NLT: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather
than for people.”
LIFE APPLICATION NOTE: 3:23 Since Creation, God has given people work to do. If we could regard our
work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude would take some of the drudgery and
boredom out of it. We could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat the challenges
related to our jobs as part of the cost and privilege of being Jesus’ disciples.
Revelation 3:15-16, NLT: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you
were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my
mouth!”
LIFE APPLICATION NOTE: 3:15 Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities, known for its banking
industry, its manufacture of wool, and a medical school that produced eye ointment. But the city had
always had a problem with its water supply. At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city
from hot springs. But by the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool—only
lukewarm. Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink.
The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm in faith and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers
didn’t take a stand for anything; apathy and indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything
for Christ, the church had become hard-hearted and self-satisfied. It was destroying itself. God won’t use
an apathetic, self-sufficient, nominal Christian. Don’t settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your
faith and get you into the action.
The Seven Deadly Sins and their Remedies: A sample of Scripture and Commentary from the new Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition.
