Perhaps one of the earliest outward marks of inward decline in a Christian is the readiness to excuse oneself from devotedness and diligence in the Lord’s service. The human mind can easily imagine or invent obstacles to unselfish and God-honoring service, and when this is yielded to, instead of abiding in the truth at all costs, a place of ease is readily found. When we lose the authority of the Word on our conscience, that “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)), we can easily think of our personal ease and become weak and helpless as to divine things. In such a condition we have not only left our first love, but have turned away from those who stand for God’s truth at all costs. Yet, strange to say, with all this declension and indifference to the honor of the Lord, “the sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason” (Prov. 26:1616The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. (Proverbs 26:16)).
Marks of Slothfulness
Another mark of a slothful man is that he roasts not that which he took in hunting (Prov. 12:2727The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. (Proverbs 12:27)). He may associate with God’s saints, hear the Word ministered with freshness and power, and may even be struck with its blessedness and suitability to himself, but when he retires, he is so absorbed with earthly things that he takes no further interest in it. Like the hunter’s prize, it is of no real benefit to him, because he is too indolent to occupy himself with it by meditating on the truth for his present profit. To read or to hear the Word is one thing, but to “meditate on it day and night” for our soul’s profit is another thing.
We are also told that “the way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns” (Prov. 15:11A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)). While a spiritual and earnest Christian may endeavor to approach a fellow believer in this condition, he may eventually conclude that only God can break through the “hedge of thorns.” How truly too it is said, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” (Prov. 18:99He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (Proverbs 18:9)). Opportunities of honoring the Lord are missed, and the means entrusted to our stewardship are wrongly used; time is misspent, and health and strength wasted in the routine or amusements of this present evil age. What is the harm of this or that? says the slothful man, little thinking that one who is practically alive unto God and seeking His glory would never ask such a question.
Enjoyment of Love
When we fail to enjoy the love of God and when Christ Himself is no longer the object and hope of our hearts, we begin to be slothful Christians. If so, how solemn and searching is the warning admonishing us to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. The thought of some is, “I know I am saved,” but do we consider that if the Spirit of God is grieved or quenched by our life and walk, we may lose the comfort and enjoyment of such precious truths, and even forget that we are saved?
The scriptures we have been looking at have mostly an individual application, but God’s assembly is made up of individuals; it is impossible to be right with God in a corporate sense unless we are so individually. An assembly gathered to the Lord’s name will always manifest the moral qualities of those who comprise it individually. Here again Scripture reminds us that “by much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through” (Eccl. 10:1818By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. (Ecclesiastes 10:18)). Where there is earnestness in our Lord’s service and faithful walk by those who look for His coming, there is generally found comfort and blessing collectively. But where head knowledge of Scripture is the first thing, combined with a lack of earnest and united prayer, there will be little spiritual care for Christ’s members manifested, and the life and power of the assembly will be gone.
Spiritual Slothfulness
Again, we are admonished as to this by the wise man. He says, “I went by the field of the slothful... and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down” (Prov. 24:30-3130I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. (Proverbs 24:30‑31)). Here we see “thorns,” the emblem of God’s displeasure, instead of the trees of His own planting; “nettles” instead of fruitful branches; and the “stone wall” of separation, once solid, but now “broken down,” so that evil associations are easily found within and evil intruders not excluded. All this is traced to spiritual indolence.
But we may well look up and encourage our hearts in God, while we commend one another “to God, and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:3232And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)), His fatherly love has not abated. The Lord is still with us, and all His resources are open to faith. So we may exhort one another to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)).
H. H. Snell (adapted)