Heb. 6:12 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
The word translated slothful in KJV and sluggish in NKJV is Strongs # 3576 meaning lazy literally or sluggish and stupid(dull, slothful) figuratively. The idea of spiritual sloth as a separate issue is I confess a relatively new one to consider. Proverbs addresses the issues and fruit of daily physical sloth over and over so it is a familiar topic. But this idea of being spiritually slothful is much more serious. It's contrasted here with the virtues of faith and patience and it is clear that the inheritance of the promises of God is what's at stake.
It is so easy to start something. There's the excitement of the newness, the thrill of a new activity or venture. But once the newness wears off, it is so difficult to continue. It is so easy to decide at first to be faithful in some new practice or virtue, only to sell it cheaply when the cost is faith (believing that it matters and is required) and patience (waiting to see any fruit or difference from the choice).
Scripture here admonishes us to be followers (imitators) of those who throough faith and patience inherited the promises. Examples abound in the Word. We are bound to search them out and imitate them.
4 comments:
I am so glad you wrote again, I was hoping you had because it always gives me something to think about. Great point. I think that applys to my trying to increase my prayer time....it gets harder once the newness wears off.
Ain't it the truth though??? I just never realized it had a name... spiritual sloth.... I always just thought of it as weary in well-doing (which while it is also true, it doesn't grip me the same way as the idea that I'm slothful. UGH!)
I liked that insight.. very very good... I have never looked at a sloth in the spiritual side always in a physical ( need to get up ) way... I am glad you are posting.. you always have good things that make me think... I totally think I am experiencing this in my art stuff.. i am tire of teaching.... and also our read the bible program at certain times is kinda hard to grow weary... i really like that though.. gives me something to think about and remember..
:)
I didn't know that you were posting. I will have add this to my places to check. I agree that was very insightful to the point of ouch.I also never realized that it would be better classified as spiritual slothfulness rather than unfaithfulness. It sounds worse. Love you and see you soon.
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