Identify and Conquer Slothfulness


II Thessalonians 3:10

Symptons of a Slothful Man

  1. He does not believe that he is slothful (Prov. 26:16, 21:25-26)
  2. He makes little soft choices in life (Prov. 6:10-11, 20:4, 19:15)
  3. He does not value the importance of time or seasons (Prov. 12:24)
  4. He will not finish tasks (Prov. 12:27; Eccl. 10:18; Prov. 24:30-31)
  5. He lives in a world of wishful thinking (Prov. 21:25-26, 26:14)
  6. He brings painful damage to his employers (Prov. 18:9, 10:26)
  7. He is the victim of self-induced fears (Prov. 22:13)

How to Conquer Slothfulness

  1. Counteract slothfulness with hunger (II Thess. 3:10; Gen. 3:19; Matt. 6:16-18)
  2. Learn the principles of diligence (Prov. 6:6)
  3. Realize that slothfulness develops in stages
    • Latent slothfulness
    • Initial slothfulness
    • Disabling slothfulness
  4. Learn the discipline of rising early (Prov. 6:9)
    • Beware of the bondage of sleep (Prov. 26:14)
    • Beware of sleep that disables (Prov. 19:15)
    • Beware of loving sleep (Prov. 20:13)
    • Beware of sleep that robs (Prov. 24:33-34)
    • Beware of sleep that disappoints God (Prov. 6:9)
    • Beware of a little extra sleep (Prov. 6:10-11)
    • Beware of inappropriate sleep (Prov. 10:5)
  5. Learn to respect time (Psa. 90:10,12; John 9:4)

Develop Diligence

  1. Be diligent to remember the truths that God has shown you (Deut. 4:9)
  2. Be diligent to teach God's Word to your children and grandchildren (Deut. 6:7)
  3. Be diligent to keep all God's commandments (Deut. 6:17)
  4. Be diligent to guard your affections (Prov. 4:23)
  5. Be diligent to add to your faith (II Peter 1:5)
  6. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10)
  7. Be diligent to minister to other Christians (Heb. 6:10-12)
  8. Be diligent to seeking the Lord (Heb. 11:6)
  9. Be diligent to remove roots of bitterness (Heb. 12:15)
  10. Be diligent to avoid swindlers and frauds (Prov. 23:1-3)
  11. Be diligent to know the ondition of those under your spiritual care (Prov. 27:23)