DCLM Higher Everyday 10 February 2024 — The Slothful Student – 1
Topic: The Slothful Student – 1
Text: proverbs 26:12-16
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Key Verse: “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed”
Message
Nowadays, you can find on social media the amazing testimonies of school leavers that made distinctions in different examinations or the first class students that won many laurels in their universities in different nations across the world. A review of their success stories always shows that they were all diligent, disciplined, dedicated and determined to succeed.
In contrast to the life of the achievers, the slothful in our Bible text today is a pathetic failure.The slothful have some bad characteristics, including: self-conceit, self-confidence, complaints/giving excuses, lack of goal setting and planning, procrastination, fear, idleness and too much sleep. The slothful students always postpone work and complain about everything, including teachers, time, textbooks, time-table, difficult subjects, body weakness, and hunger. Christian students that exhibit the traits of the slothful are living outside the will of God. They must be diligent in their studies like the Lord Jesus who declared, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). A lazy student is not entitled to success.
Quote: A lazy student is not entitled to success.
Challenge: Stop postponing what you ought to do now.
Prayer for today: Lord, make me diligent like you
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)
