DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 8 March 2022 — Idleness
DCLM Higher Everyday 8 March 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Idleness
Read all Previous DCLM Higher Everyday Devotionals
TOPIC: IDLENESS
BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 17:18-22
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
MEMORY VERSE: “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (ACTS 17:21).
MESSAGE:
Idleness, simply put, is the state of wasting time by doing nothing of value. On the list of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’, it was named acedia (sloth, laziness or idleness). Dorothy Sayers thus described it as “the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.”
Athenians had the problem of idleness. They spent their time in “nothing else”. Modern youths also have the problem of idleness. A modern rendition of the verse may read thus: “for all the youths spent their time in nothing else, but to text, chat, watch videos and play games on their smartphones.” But they have work to do – domestic chores, academic work and reading the Bible. One of the things that God hates is idleness. Not only does it bring poverty, but also shame, hunger, disappoinment, ruin and more sin in your life. You must quit idleness now.
QUOTE: Doing nothing of value?
CHALLENGE: You must quit idleness.
PRAYER: Oh God, may idleness not be my ruin in Jesus’ Name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
