Definition and Nature
Slothfulness, often synonymous with laziness or idleness, is a state of spiritual and physical inactivity that is condemned in the Bible. It is characterized by a lack of diligence, motivation, and responsibility, leading to neglect of one's duties and obligations. Slothfulness is considered a vice that can lead to poverty, ruin, and spiritual decay.

Biblical References
The Bible addresses slothfulness in various passages, warning against its dangers and encouraging diligence and hard work. In the Book of Proverbs, slothfulness is frequently contrasted with the virtues of wisdom and industriousness. Proverbs 6:6-11 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer; she gathers her food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit."

Proverbs 19:15 states, "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger." This verse highlights the consequences of slothfulness, emphasizing that it leads to a lack of provision and unmet needs.

Spiritual Implications
Slothfulness is not merely a physical issue but also a spiritual one. It reflects a lack of zeal and commitment to God's work and purposes. Romans 12:11 exhorts believers, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and dedication in one's spiritual life.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the consequences of slothfulness in the spiritual realm. The servant who buried his talent out of fear and laziness was rebuked and punished for his inaction. This parable serves as a warning that slothfulness can lead to spiritual stagnation and loss of divine reward.

Moral and Ethical Considerations
From a moral and ethical standpoint, slothfulness is seen as a failure to fulfill one's God-given responsibilities. It is a neglect of the stewardship entrusted to individuals by God. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Practical Advice
The Bible offers practical advice for overcoming slothfulness. Believers are encouraged to cultivate discipline, diligence, and a strong work ethic. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This verse highlights the value of hard work and its positive outcomes.

Additionally, believers are urged to seek God's strength and guidance in overcoming slothfulness. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This assurance empowers Christians to rely on divine assistance in their efforts to be diligent and productive.

Conclusion
While slothfulness is a common human tendency, the Bible provides clear guidance on its dangers and the virtues of diligence and hard work. By adhering to biblical principles, believers can overcome slothfulness and live lives that honor God and fulfill their earthly and spiritual responsibilities.6103. atslah -- sluggishness
... slothfulness. Feminine of atsel; (as abstractly) indolence -- slothfulness. see
HEBREW atsel. 6102, 6103. atslah. 6104 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6103.htm - 6k

The Sluggard's Garden
... A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.' Do we
not all know that mood of mind which confesses our slothfulness and promises ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the sluggards garden.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... and crime, and is the parent of every evil; and he exhorts his runner to the greatest
diligence, not to 'fool away his soul' in slothfulness, which induces ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... the heart of man not weaponed nor garnished with the word of God, he forthwith
possesses the same, and so getteth victory through the slothfulness of the ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
... Whence it is plainly said through Solomon, Slothfulness casteth into a
deep sleep (Proverbs 19:15). For the slothful one is as it ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xv how the slothful.htm

Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of ...
... For if thou lettest the adversary remain, the more slothful are injured, not on
account of the more diligent, but by their own slothfulness; whereas if thou ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii against those who.htm

Rejoicing Before God.
... direct your attention: that every joy that is to hold its ground in God's presence
must be free; first, from falsehood; secondly, from slothfulness; and thirdly ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/x rejoicing before god.htm

Brorson's Swan-Song
... others. And he was usually stern and, at times, implacable, in his judgment
of neglect and slothfulness, especially in the pastors. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter ten brorsons swan-song.htm

The Note of Edification.
... Among them are a selfishness which fears the sacrifice that membership of the Church
might involve; a slothfulness anticipating with apprehension the possible ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iv the note of.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... nor kept in silence, but as far as my feeble powers suffice with my full strength,
and with a discourse gathered from the Lord's lessons, the slothfulness of a ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

On the Duty of Working for a Livelihood.
... his own flesh." [2861] And afterwards: "The sluggard hides his hand; he will not
be able to bring it to his mouth." [2862] And again: "By slothfulness of the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec viii on the duty of.htm

Slothfulness (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Slothfulness (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 12:24 The hand
of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary. (YLT). ...
/s/slothfulness.htm - 7k

Sloth (3 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. ... Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness
the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. ...
/s/sloth.htm - 7k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. ... Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness
the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Leaks (3 Occurrences)
... Leaks (3 Occurrences). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and
through idleness of the hands the house leaks. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/leaks.htm - 7k

Leaketh (1 Occurrence)
... Leaketh (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness the roof sinketh in;
and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. (ASV JPS). ...
/l/leaketh.htm - 6k

Idleness (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness the roof
sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. ...
/i/idleness.htm - 9k

Tributary (9 Occurrences)
... subject to taskwork. (See JPS YLT). Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent
ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary. (YLT). Isaiah 31 ...
/t/tributary.htm - 10k

Ruleth (21 Occurrences)
... over all. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent
ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/r/ruleth.htm - 12k

Rafters (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through
idleness of the hands the house leaketh. (See JPS NAS NIV). ...
/r/rafters.htm - 7k

Droppeth (2 Occurrences)
... Droppeth (2 Occurrences). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth;
and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. (KJV WBS) ...
/d/droppeth.htm - 7k

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