The Deadly Sin of Sloth

The Deadly Sin of Sloth or Laziness

Sloth or Laziness is the Sixth in the Series of the Seven Deadly Sins and this one stands out from the rest as it is a bit different, and initially quite comical, but it´s just as deadly as the others. Whilst most of the Deadly Sins are hot in nature such as Wrath, Lust, Vanity or Pride and Greed which are all characterised by immorality and activity, Sloth is cold in nature, the exact opposite characterised by inactivity but not always. It creeps in the same way just as the others and will lead exactly to the same place, it´s the route you will take that will be the only difference.

The Definition according to the Oxford Dictioanry:

NOUN

1[mass noun] Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness:
‘he should overcome his natural sloth and complacency’
More example sentences Synonyms
2A slow-moving tropical American mammal that hangs upside down from the branches of trees using its long limbs and hooked claws.



The Deadly Sin of Sloth



Many people when they think of Sloth think of the incredibly slow moving animal or tie up this deadly sin with laziness which most people will think is pretty harmless. In most parts they would be correct but it´s where this can lead is where the problem lies. This tricky one can also manifest itself in other ways including indifference and a couldn´t care less attitude. It can also take another form of avoidance of issues by being overly busy in another area of your life such as a workaholic, this is a bizarrely another form of Sloth. This is mentioned very clearly in the following Bible verse

2 Thessalonians 3:11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Modern Society yet again encourages us to be slothful with technology and services willing to do everyday menial tasks for us (at a price) so that we have more free time to be more productive and do meaningful things, or so they would have us believe.

There is an old saying that "An Idle Mind is the Devil´s Workshop" which rings very true with this Deadly Sin.

1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Here´s some Modern Day Examples of Sloth being forced upon us in our everyday lives in these Modern Times

Dog Walkers. Can´t be bothered to walk your dog.........pay somebody else to do it for you.
Personal Trainer. Not motivated enough to go out everyday to run and do excercises....pay somebody that will be there rain or shine.
Taxi´s Can´t be bothered with the hassle of driving in the city and can´t handle public transport. Get somebody else to drive you for a price.
Valet Can´t be bothered to park your own car....get somebody else to park it while you go shopping or while staying at a hotel..
Concierge. Carrying suitcases from your car to the hotel room just isn´t you.....get the hotel concierge to carry it but again they will expect a hefty tip
Gardening Bending down and getting your hands dirty and doing the gardening or cutting the grass .... pay someone to do it for you
Nanny Too busy working to look after your kids ................get a nanny to look after them and also get the shopping
Cleaner Is cleaning just too much of a pallava and beneath you.... get a cleaner to do the washing up, make your bed, hoover the house, do the washing but again it comes at a price
Coffee or Tea Can´t be bothered to make coffee or tea in the morning go to a coffee shop who will make it for you and put it in a fancy paper cup and treat you like a celebrity
Painting and Decorating Paint Brushes and Rollers make you nervous and it´s all just too messy for you.........pay a professional to do it
Food for Work Just can´t handle the hassle of making a couple of sandwiches for work or making up a salad.......pay over the odds for an eat in or take away meal and get someone else to do it for you
Sickies: Just can´t face going to work today and you´re not sick...........just throw a sickie and say you are sick and head in the following day
Duvet Day: On the weekends is fine but during the working week .......see above.
Automatic Cars Can´t be bothered to change gear in a car......get an automatic and let the car do it for you.
Ebay Listings. Want to sell something on Ebay but can´t be bothered with the hassle.....new firms will do it for you and list your item...but it´s not free
Servicing the Car. Just a bit too greasy, oily and confusing. Pay a garage to do it for you.
Cycling ...............too much effort to move those pedals on a bike...........get an electric one
Can´t even be bothered to work..........claim state benefits and have a lie in every day of the week.
Christmas and Birthday Presents. Not very good at wrapping Christmas presents or even buying them in the first place......... just can´t be bothered.....there are people out there that can help?
Electric Doors, Lifts, Elevators, Self Raising Boots and Tail Gates on Cars, Supermarket Shopping Delivery the list just goes on and on.

Sloth and The Modern Day Society Problem

Modern Day Society encourages Slothfulness with  all it´s pampering and laziness, it´s good for the economy, creates jobs, gets people spending and makes people feel important and frees up valuable time to do more important things? in this fast paced hard working Western Culture that we live in these days. But the consequences of Sloth are just as deadly as the others  as mentioned in the accompanying Sloth Video , it can lead to a dark place such as ill health due to inactivity, loss of your job, homelessness, financial problems. In extreme cases it can lead to death because Sloth by it´s very nature is "loss of interest in life".

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Other examples of Sloth can be the avoidance of helping others in need but expecting those to help you or just indifference to people in general.

Where can Sloth lead?

Just like all the other deadly sins, this one can lead to the other Deadly Sins and they all overlap in some shape or form. So on the surface Sloth looks like one of the not so destructive versions of the Seven Deadly Sins, BUT it can lead to the other more vicious and destructive and cyclical versions and all the Deadly Sins lead to the same place ........... that is your ultimate destruction.

This is one that even True Born Again Christians can find creeping into their faith if they are not careful but keeping a rigid schedule and not straying from it will ensure that this doesn´t get a foot hold in your life. This Deadly Sin just like the others is creeping in nature and will start with the words like "Delegation" or "outsourcing" of some menial task, you´ll think you are being clever and quickly this  becomes addictive.

It can lead to Vanity and Greed and using these labour saving devices or people as some form of status symbol just like wealthy people have an army of Butlers, Nannies, Cooks and Security etc. The problem is they have vast financial resources to pay for these things whereas the normal person in the street earning 25-35K a year and paying half that in rent will hit financial problems if this Deadly Sin of Sloth is embraced fully on a permanent basis. We live in a day and age now where if you have the money, you would never have to leave your house, you could stay in bed all day and just get up to answer the front door for deliveries. It´s all very tempting but just like all the other deadly sins...... it will lead you to a  very dark place eventually.

Yet another clever, cunning and deceptive Deadly Sin, Sloth is up there with the rest with the capacity to derail your life....... in extreme cases for good!

Bible Quotes:

Romans 12:11 11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Proverbs 15:19 - The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

Proverbs 21:25-26 - 25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

Proverbs 24:30-34 -
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 - By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Matthew 25:26 - His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Proverbs 18:9  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.