Proverbs 24:30-34 (NLT)
30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. 31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. 32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: 33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
When I read this I initially thought about laziness in the work place. I thought about the days when I was tired or perhaps didn't really feel like going to work. I began to think about how laziness in just about any area of life leads to regression. If I am not pushing forward, I am falling behind. Life is constantly moving forward, regardless if I am walking with it.
As I continued to think about this passage and reread it a few times, several words began to stick out and verses began to come to mind. There was a mental shift as my thoughts transitioned from physical laziness to spiritual laziness. Spiritual laziness? Yes! I can't work my way to Heaven and my good deeds are nothing without the all-saving grace and acceptance of Christ’s forgiveness. That being said, I must continue to stay in The Word. He is my source of strength!
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
If I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can also confidently say without Him I have no strength. All things with... Equates to nothing without.
Psalm 127:1 (NLT)
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
The words: pounce, bandit, robber, attack, overgrown, broken walls, and covered with weeds began to continually run through my mind. 1 Peter 5:8 and Mark 3:27 came to mind.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Mark 3:27 (NLT)
Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
Rest assured, the enemy wants to pounce on us and attack us like a lion. A strong man/woman is one who is spiritually fit. When rooted deep in Christ we have the strength to tear down the walls of division and break the viny weeds of bondage that the enemy has used to tie us down and hold us hostage. We become free and empowered to start doing “everything through Christ” (Philippians 4:13) that He created us for and called us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
Father,
Help us to stay engaged in the battle. Help us to stay in the gym of Your Word. Give us the desire and the strength we need to continually seek You, talk to You, and follow in Your ways. Lord, help us not to have idle minds and hearts. Thank You in advance for the victory and the growth. We love You Lord. Amen.
30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. 31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. 32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: 33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
When I read this I initially thought about laziness in the work place. I thought about the days when I was tired or perhaps didn't really feel like going to work. I began to think about how laziness in just about any area of life leads to regression. If I am not pushing forward, I am falling behind. Life is constantly moving forward, regardless if I am walking with it.
As I continued to think about this passage and reread it a few times, several words began to stick out and verses began to come to mind. There was a mental shift as my thoughts transitioned from physical laziness to spiritual laziness. Spiritual laziness? Yes! I can't work my way to Heaven and my good deeds are nothing without the all-saving grace and acceptance of Christ’s forgiveness. That being said, I must continue to stay in The Word. He is my source of strength!
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
If I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can also confidently say without Him I have no strength. All things with... Equates to nothing without.
Psalm 127:1 (NLT)
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
The words: pounce, bandit, robber, attack, overgrown, broken walls, and covered with weeds began to continually run through my mind. 1 Peter 5:8 and Mark 3:27 came to mind.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Mark 3:27 (NLT)
Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
Rest assured, the enemy wants to pounce on us and attack us like a lion. A strong man/woman is one who is spiritually fit. When rooted deep in Christ we have the strength to tear down the walls of division and break the viny weeds of bondage that the enemy has used to tie us down and hold us hostage. We become free and empowered to start doing “everything through Christ” (Philippians 4:13) that He created us for and called us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
Father,
Help us to stay engaged in the battle. Help us to stay in the gym of Your Word. Give us the desire and the strength we need to continually seek You, talk to You, and follow in Your ways. Lord, help us not to have idle minds and hearts. Thank You in advance for the victory and the growth. We love You Lord. Amen.