What Causes Spiritual Laziness

Lack of Purpose (Motivation) – ‘Joining' the Christian faith out of simple ignorance (without conviction) can lead to spiritual laziness in a short period of time. People like these become Christians most likely to identify with their families, friends, or spouses. As a result, people joined without significant commitment or conviction in the faith they proclaim, resulting in lukewarmness.

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What does it mean to be spiritual lazy?

When we choose comfort over discipline, spiritual sloth generally creeps in. For example, if you keep snoozing your alarm until you barely have enough time to get ready and go to work, or if you find yourself procrastinating, doing your chores, or anything else than spending time with God.

What does Bible say about spiritual laziness?

“Hands that work hard will reign, while sloth will result in forced labor.” “A sluggard's appetite will never be fulfilled, while the diligent's desires will be entirely met.” “All hard effort pays off, but idle talk only leads to poverty.” “Whoever is sluggish in his labor is a brother of the master of ruin.”

Is spiritual laziness a sin?

In today's culture, where everything revolves around you, it's easy to be lazy. I decided to look into what the Bible has to say about being lazy.

Is being a slacker a sin? Being lazy is a vice. People who are sedentary stop growing. Laziness is the refusal to obey God and to accomplish everything for His glory. It causes people to lose out on leaning on the Holy Spirit for rest, even in the most difficult and chaotic of circumstances.

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Laziness is a sin that is readily overlooked, yet the Bible teaches that God desires for His people to labor hard for His glory and to serve others.

What is the spirit of laziness called?

The word “sloth” comes from the Latin word acedia, which means “without care” (acciditties in Middle English). Acedia was first used to describe a spiritual ailment in which ladies, religious people, particularly monks, become oblivious to their duties and commitments to God. Acedia has a variety of distinct mental characteristics, the most prominent of which is affectlessness, or a lack of any feelings towards oneself or others, as well as a mind-state that leads to boredom, rancor, indifference, and a passive, inert, or sluggish mentation. Acedia manifests itself physically as a stoppage of mobility and an indifference to effort; it manifests itself as laziness, idleness, and indolence. The most accurate translation of acedia, according to two interpreters, is “self-pity,” because it “conveys both the melancholy of the state and the self-centeredness upon which it is predicated.”

How do you pray against procrastination?

Thank you, Lord, for everything you do. Thank you for giving me with all I require in order to live a happy and healthy life. I'm thankful for my friends, family, and life in general. Today, though, I require your assistance. I have this thing I need to do, and while knowing that it must be done, I keep putting it off. Instead of tackling the issue at hand, I keep finding other things to do. I understand that you forbid us from procrastinating, Lord. I know I should just hunker down and get things done, but I need your aid to give me that extra push and desire.

You are my protector and provider, Lord. I'm going to you for assistance, whether it's with a little inspiration, a person to push me, or simply a seed of an idea. I'm going to you not to avoid doing what needs to be done, but to receive part of the power I know comes only from you. You are the one who makes things happen.

And, Lord, I beg you to assist me in staying focused once I begin. I'm quite aware of how readily I'm distracted by other things. There's a ringing on the phone. The television is switching to a show that I enjoy. The sound of music coming from a radio. Even the sunlight streaming in through my window can be a source of distraction. Lord, please help me focus on the present moment and deal with what's in front of me. Assist me in remaining entirely focused. Remove any temptations from my path so that my mind and heart can focus on what has to be done.

I also ask that you, Lord, assist me in prioritizing my tasks. As I break things down into tasks and lay out the sequence in which they must be completed, guide my thoughts and my hand. Please point me in the direction of what you believe is the greatest option. Please send me friends and relatives who will gently guide me in the correct route. Open my mind to what needs to be done and unblock my ideas. I beg the Holy Spirit to communicate to me in hushed tones so that I can set fair deadlines. I request that I complete tasks well in advance of the deadline so that I may concentrate on making the product the best it can be.

Lord, I know I'm capable of completing this assignment, but I know it'll go so much more smoothly if you raise me up and lead me through it. I know I can do anything through you, so I turn to you for assistance in overcoming my desire to put things off. I pray for strength and direction. Knowing you are providing for me motivates and encourages me, as it always does. You are everything to me. Amen, in your holy name.

How do you become spiritual minded?

Spiritual wellbeing can be reached in a variety of ways, both physically and intellectually, because it involves one's values, beliefs, and purpose.

When reading the Bible What does it feel like a chore?

Do you identify as a “mood reader”? Until I became a more active member of the literary community on Instagram, I had no idea this was a thing. Suddenly, I discovered other readers who felt the same way I did—people who couldn't complete a book because it was too light when they wanted something deeper, or too deep when they wanted something lighter…too reflective when they wanted something campy, too campy when they wanted to go deep…

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Some novels are meant to be read at specific times in one's life. But applying that approach to Scripture is tricky! After all, it is God's perfect Word. That alone makes it sound like something we should always embrace with excitement and delight, right?

Regrettably, this isn't always the case. I've personally been there! I'll have seasons when I'm devouring new Bible insights and understandings, and then seasons where pulling up my app feels like a chore—something I'd happily ignore if it weren't for the reminder on my phone or the purpose of routine. Yeah, being a member of a Christian team, that sounds embarrassing—like, what? You're not always enthusiastic about reading the Bible every day? But, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no I've had my fair share of problems with this…and God knows I've had a lot of them! I've spent a lot of time talking to Him about it. If I'm being honest, I think I should say “complained.” I'd like to be the person that always looks forward to Bible time, but that isn't always the case.

My stories are more seasonal in nature. More months of reading Scripture followed by Bible classes elaborating on a single passage. For a few months, I was more enthusiastic, then routine, then suffering.

If that's your tale, friend, know that you're not shocking God—believe me, if humans have thought, felt, or experienced anything, He's seen it before! God is also not legalistic or pushy; He isn't lurking over our shoulders, timing us, and scoffing at our lackluster performance if we only manage five minutes of reading against an hour and a half for someone else. Reading Scripture only for the sake of reading it, or to check off the “righteous life” box, isn't going to get us where we want to go. While it is beneficial to have the words in front of us regardless of our “mood,” it is far less beneficial if we are unable to retain and act on what we are reading. If we're cut off to their life-giving, life-changing power because they're merely words on a page to us, it's time to try a new method, a new tactic, a means to relieve the burden of feeling that Bible reading has become a duty.

When reading the Bible feels like a job, consider some of the suggestions below. Many people have found that these strategies have rekindled their interest in reading Scripture and even sparked a desire to go deeper, read longer, and comprehend more!

So, without further ado, here are a few suggestions for when reading the Bible becomes a chore:

This one is so important that it deviates from the numbered list! Whether or not reading the Bible is a chore for you, it's always a good idea to pray before you start reading, asking God to lead you, teach you, and reveal you things from His word that He wants you to know. This is a fantastic habit to get into!

Do you have a preference for one version over another and tend to stick to it? While this is a good and rational approach, especially when you find a version that you believe brings the most truth to the text, our minds may sometimes become stagnant if we read or hear the same things in the same way over and over. Novelists are advised to move to another character's head and tell it from their perspective if writing or editing a given chapter, scene, interaction, etc. in one character's perspective is bogging them down. This might assist you with gaining clarity and understanding into the scenario that you may have missed while staying in one location! The same may be said for reading the Bible from the same version over and over; eventually, it can feel like we've heard it all before, and we tune out. If you want more literal translations, try something like the New Living Translation, The Passion Translation, or The Message; if you prefer a more modernistic tone, try something like the ESV, NASB, RSV, or other literal translations.

Do you read the Bible in a specific order, such as starting at the beginning and reading it from beginning to end? Or do you always jump from one location to the next? If you have a reading routine, try hopping or linear reading instead! Another suggestion I have is to read the Bible chronologically, in the order (or as close to the order) in which events occurred. I started doing this in mid-2020, and it gave me a whole new perspective on what was happening when, where, and to whom. I was actually looking forward to reading once more! You can also try things like: reading the same book multiple times in different versions (I recommend Ephesians! ); listening to the Bible on audiobook; switching from an eReader to a printed Bible or vice versa; reading in different places, such as from your bed to the couch, from the couch to the dining room table, from the table to outside (weather permitting! ); and so on. Examine your reading habits and find a way, any way, to change them up! Let's see what happens!

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Do you find it difficult to push yourself to read your Bible first thing in the morning while your mind prepares for the day? Or maybe it's difficult to get your mind to focus on the words and concepts and draw enduring meaning and impressions late at night, after a long day of school, job, etc. If you recognize yourself in one of these descriptions, it's time to shake things up! Try going from morning to evening reading, or vice versa; or schedule some reading time in the afternoon. A change of scenery can assist to sharpen your mind and open it up to new and exciting revelations in the Bible!

My hubby is a huge encyclopedia buff. It's tough for him to get excited about the familiar paragraphs and verses he's been quoted or was forced to remember since he was in elementary school. When you add in some Old Testament history that is mirrored with the world history of the period, his interest skyrockets. He is enthralled by the similarities between documented and biblical history! I'm not much of a knowledge buff—facts tend to pour out of my skull like a broken sieve—but give me a well-written, quotable, emotive idea on Scripture, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life. That's why I adore works like Lisa Bevere's Girls with Swords and Matthew Kelly's Knowing Jesus. They take concepts and sections of Scripture that I, too, have memorized or that have perplexed me through the years and give them new life and meaning in a personal, applicable way. If you find that just reading the Bible isn't enough to feed your soul and energize your walk with God, look into some resources written by God's inspired children; God understands our struggle to absorb scriptural knowledge, and He has gifted many of His people with the ability to articulate biblical concepts in a way that awakens and speaks directly to even the most tired and confused mind. If that describes you, this strategy might be just what you need to rekindle your enthusiasm for God's Word!

You're having trouble remembering and concentrate because reading the Bible is proving to be difficult? Reduce the volume and slow down! Every day, read a Psalm or a Proverb, or one story or one chapter of the Gospel narrative. The point isn't to be exhaustively scholarific every time you approach the Bible; the value is in filling your mind with God's Word on a daily basis to help combat the constant barrage of spiritual attacks we face, and hiding it in your heart so that you are walking as righteously as possible before Him. So it's fine if all you can remember, genuinely understand, and properly apply in this season of life is one Psalm, one Proverb, or the principles of one narrative. Move forth with what you have, giving God all the honor and asking Him to teach you abundantly from what you have. Even if you simply read a little bit, there is a lot to learn!

I hope and pray that at least one of these ideas is applicable and beneficial to your situation! Remember to keep searching, seeking, and praying, and never, ever, ever give up and stop reading the Bible. God want to communicate with you both personally and via His Word, and He will lead you back to a place where you can comprehend and enjoy the Scriptures once more. May today be the start of your journey along that path!

Is laziness a mental disorder?

If you're unsure if you're lazy or sad, consider whether you simply lack motivation. Depression is a persistent condition, whereas “laziness” is a choice not to do a certain activity or activities. Laziness may be a passing mood or a personality flaw, but it is not a mental illness. If you're worried you're being lazy, consider whether you're depressed, have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, or are having trouble sleeping, recharging your batteries, or concentrating. All of these are classic signs of depression.