It has been said, “the devil finds work for idle hands”, and there is so much truth to this statement. God placed everyone on earth for a purpose, and though each soul’s purpose may be unique, all can be summed up in this statement from King Solomon:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
On the other hand, we have an adversary called Satan, whose mission is to relentlessly deter mankind from either discovering or fulfilling their God-given purpose, and males are one of his main targets.
One of the devil’s most successful weapons against men and boys is idleness. Jamaica is known globally for its numerous churches per square mile; yet, it is ironically filled with so many bars, where men go to drink and/or chat away with friends. Some seek these and other indulgences, such as table games, online and video games, gambling, television, and sports, as a means of distraction/relief from the pressures of life, or simply for entertainment. Sadly, their indulgences are fulfilling Satan’s desire to both blind them from the truth and beauty of God’s plan for their lives, as well as secure their souls for eternal death.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. Proverbs 21:25 KJV
Time is a precious commodity because once it is lost, it can never be regained. Each day, everyone is given the same amount—twenty-four hours in a day. While some persons are using this time wisely, whether it is to improve themselves in some way, make a valuable contribution to society, or to use the creativity given them by God to honour Him; others are wasting this valuable resource, choosing to do absolutely nothing with the time and talents they have been given.
To waste time is to be idle. The word “idle” means not working or being used. It also means not having any real purpose or value. Considering this, it is dangerous to waste time. As time passes, wasted hours turn into wasted years, and the ruins this brings to many lives are evident. Men who do not know or walk in their purpose are time-wasters, sometimes aimlessly wandering through life, as if they were mere shells/shadows of what they could have been.
Looking at the wider world, much of the mischief, folly and criminal activities observed find their roots in idleness.
We can see the fruit of the man who works assiduously, honours God, and maximises his time and talents wisely, whether in his family or society at large, whose passion is to build up the Kingdom of God. That man leaves solid tracks for others to follow and goes home in peace, prepared to meet his Saviour.
The final words of someone who has used his time wisely and is prepared to meet God are different from those of those who have wasted time and defied God in the process. We see this in the life of men such as the Apostle Paul, who, at the end of his life on earth, had this to say, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 1 Timothy 4:5-8.
We must now examine ourselves honestly. Is there any area of our lives where we are slothful, willfully negligent, or procrastinate? Can our loved ones, or those we work closely with, say that we are diligent and considerate? When we attend to any task, do we work wholeheartedly unto the Lord, or do we just go through the motions, with no sense of purpose or peace?
Renounce and repent of every form of idleness; begin living a life of purpose, fully submitted to God, so you too can become His weapon of divine release for other entrapped souls.
Darien Callum and Curline Williams are members of Passion and Purity, which is a God-centered, charity and para-church organisation operating primarily in school, church, and media contexts. They aim to help others find their God-given passions and pursue same with purity.
