What is Covid-19? It is said to be a particularly dangerous strain of Coronavirus, which first appeared in China in November of 2019. It is believed to be a novel virus, never before seen on earth, which means no one is immune to it, and nearly everyone who comes in contact with it will get sick. When a person is infected, they typically have no symptoms for one or two weeks, during which they unknowingly affect others. We are told the infection rate doubles about every six days, which, if true, every person on earth will have had it eight weeks from now. Covid-19 causes respiratory illness, which can be deadly, especially for the aged and those in poor respiratory health.
How frightening! How could anything be more deadly than Covid-19? How can any virus spread more rapidly? Are there any that are more contagious?
Yes, there is something more deadly. It is the dreadful virus of slothfulness.
Proverbs 24:30-34, I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 21:25, The desire of the slothful killer him; for his hands refuse to labor.
Proverbs 19:15, Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Physical slothfulness has caused millions of lives to be lost in accidents. It has caused millions of broken homes, and has kept the thief from being an honest man.
So, what am I implying? Physical slothfulness is more deadly than Covid-19? Perhaps so, I’ll let you decide.
The virus more deadly than Covid-19 is the virus of Spiritual Slothfulness. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of the ten young virgins. That story is very symbolic to our day and age. You and I are the ten young virgins, and the Bridegroom is Jesus at the end of time. What sin did the five foolish virgins commit? Disobedience? Lying? Immorality? No, it was the virus of Spiritual Slothfulness. And their punishment? The door was shut, I know you not.
Today’s lesson is this- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Is your lamp trimmed? Do you have extra oil?
Later in Matthew 25, we find the parable of the talents. What was the sin of the servant who had only one talent” Blasphemy? Adultery? Murder? Thievery? No! He had done nothing. His sin was Spiritual Slothfulness.
How slothful are you in church attendance, prayer life, or Bible reading? What about your tithes and offerings? Or helping the needy people you meet? Or what about the common courtesies of life, such as dress, speech, or personal cleanliness?
No, I don’t believe God will shut the door in our faces for one simple act of slothfulness, but glance back at the field of the slothful in Proverbs 24. If the field of your spiritual life looks like this, grown over with thorns and nettles and your wall of spiritual protection is broken down, you are in grave danger of hearing God’s words, I know you not! If you are letting your God-given spiritual talent lie dormant, you are in danger of hellfire.
The worst thing that slothfulness can do is rob you of Spiritual Purpose. This leaves you incapable of positive action. You know what needs to be done in your spiritual life, but you just don’t do it!
Covid-19 may cause you to miss three weeks of work; it may cause you great physical discomfort; it may even cost you physical life. Spiritual slothfulness kills slowly over a period of years instead of weeks. First of all, the idle soul begins to suffer hunger. Slowly but surely, the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches begin to choke us. The Devil is eventually in control. He slowly but surely brings the soul to everlasting death!
How much effort have you put into avoiding Covid-19? How fearful are you that it could take your life or the life of one of your loved ones? In contrast, how much effort have you put into avoiding the virus of Spiritual Slothfulness? How fearful are you that it could take your life or the life of one of your loved ones?
My dear friends, you do not have to do anything to be lost spiritually. Just simply do nothing!
Ephesians 5:14, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
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