"The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns" Proverbs 15:19
Thorns are the part of a rose that noone cares for. I don't think any of us like picking up the beautiful flower, only to be pricked by a nasty thorn on its stem. All of us have thorns in our lives. When I say this, many of you will begin to think of thorns you must deal with. You will more than likely think of a trial you're going through, or a job that you detest doing, or maybe even a specific person who irritates you. But today we are going to focus on our OWN thorns. The thorns AKA things we do that destroy our character. Specifically: the thorns of laziness. All of us are lazy in one way, shape, or form. The Bible has a lot to say about laziness, especially in the book of Proverbs. God says that laziness gets a person nowhere. We could speak a lot about the wrong of being lazy, but lets focus on spiritual laziness. In Hebrews 6, it begins with a calling for people to grow and mature in their faith. Spiritual maturity can be defined in many ways, but in verse seven it is described as being "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed [and will receive] the blessing of God." Spiritual immaturity or lack of faith is described as "land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned" There is such thing as being spiritually lazy, and this is a very dangerous spot to be in. When your life isn't showing any signs of your faith in Jesus Christ, you are spiritually lazy. The fact is: when you are in Gods word more, you will begin to learn and should apply what you learn. God blesses you for your obedience and faithfulness. "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper" Proverbs 13:4. "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Hebrews 6:10-12. Don't you want Gods blessing? Don't you want to be known for being close to God and not for being spiritually lazy? Then pick up your dusty Bible and don't just read it, but actually apply it to your daily life! Laziness will entangle you in its thorns, but Jesus Christ can free you from those thorns if you simply allow him to!
