Key Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:17; Proverbs 4:23.

The devil and fishing.

• If the devil were to go fishing for you, what bait would he use.
• He might laziness.
• Being lazy means “to be unwilling to work or use energy. Showing a lack of effort or care” (Concise Oxford English Dictionary (2004), s.v. “lazy”).
• The Bible uses the word sluggard.
• This means “loose or undisciplined. The Hebrew term can refer to a bow not strung or equipped with an arrow for action.

Laziness.

• There can be professional and personal discipline while still maintaining a lack of character because of our sinful inclinations.
• There are those who are talented but lazy.
• These people will only reach a certain potential because of their lack of desire to work harder to be better.

Application.

• A lazy individual is someone who ultimately has spiritual heart issues.
• Laziness could be determined and temporarily fixed through behavior modification, but ultimately, if the spiritual condition is never settled, this area will always be an issue.
• How do you set up safeguards against laziness?
• We can guard our heart from laziness by ensuring we remain disciplined in everything we do, but not allow discipline to become an idol as it can often become.
• Don't make excuses for things that need to get done, both professionally and personally. You must to yield to the Holy Spirit.
• Plan to get things done that need to get done.
• Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
• Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
• We must be very diligent, proactive, and careful, to ensure we’re not flirting with disaster in the area of laziness.
• Laziness isn’t always being unwilling to work. Laziness can also be failing to work where it really matters—which breeds sins like lust, greed, and envy.
• Lazy people can be lazy. Busy people can be lazy. Laziness is a heart problem, not a work problem.