The Peril of Idleness

The peril of Idleness

Idleness is a state of mind that is unfocused and involves inactive action. When a car idles at a red light, it merely maintains the engine cycle while simultaneously emitting carbon into the atmosphere. Some states have a limit on how long a car can idle because the combined emissions negatively affect the air. You have heard the saying, "The idle mind is the devil's playground." This is because idleness disengages our minds, allowing other ideas and nefarious entities to infiltrate. Idleness is the deceptive destroyer of being. Another interesting aspect of this is found in Matthew 12:36: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." To understand this perspective more clearly, the Word of God also says in Proverbs 18:21: "Life and death are in the power of the tongue." This means that we are either speaking death or speaking life. The condemnation and warning from Christ infers that an idle word stands to be judged more severely than a purposefully spoken one. That is not to say that we can speak evil and escape the judgment of God, but it does suggest that uttering idle words, or allowing the first thing to come out of our mouths—especially in an emotional tirade without thought—can be greatly destructive. Have you ever said something without thinking, only to regret what you said? "I didn’t mean to say that" would be the later cry of repentance, but once it hits the atmosphere, it is too late. May you and I take care of the deceptive darts of idleness. Idleness in our words, deeds, and thoughts will yield demonic interference and affect our souls and those around us.  So, what do we do about this? Before you send that idle text, take another look and think twice. Before you utter that idle word, pray as the Psalmist said: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight." And before we allow time and purpose to sift away from us with idle thoughts, let us keep in mind this proverb: "Idleness brings us to rags and wanting." Lord, keep my soul from the deleterious, deceptive sin of idleness.