Slacker: March 18, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 18, 2014.

SLACKER

DEFINITION:

Idler; shirker; loafer; sluggard; couch potato; one who is negligent of his duty; goof off.

SCRIPTURE:

How long will you slumber, O sluggard? Proverbs 6:9

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPEREIENCE:

We noticed when reading through some Bible study notes on Proverbs that the writer suggested changing the word “sluggard” in Proverbs (above) to “slacker.” This made more sense to us because we have seen many people in our lifetime that were basically what we would call slackers.

Slackers by definition are negligent of their duties. In our society they are often called “goof offs” or “couch potatoes.” Slackers choose to be lazy and would rather sleep than work. We all know a few slackers.

Parents that fail to teach and discipline their children are slackers. They are neglecting the responsibility that God has commanded them to do. What about the husband or even sometimes the wife that just refuses to help around the house? They would have to be considered slackers.

What about the teenagers that neglect their studies and play internet games and send text messages day and night? Yes, they too are slackers. The list can go on and on but the bottom line is that too many people today are slackers or as the scripture tells us in Proverbs, sluggards.

We have stated the problem above as we see it but what is the solution? Many of the types of people we have referred to above are lazy because they have no purpose in life. Thus it becomes a spiritual problem. They need something or someone to give them a purpose in life and a desire to be happy and functional responsible parents, loving spouses, and obedient children.

If we are honest we are all susceptible to being slack in what we do. Are you a “prayer slacker or a Bible reading slacker?” Possibly you are a “non-exercising-of –our-spiritual-gift slacker or a non-witnessing slacker?” If we are not doing what we know that God wants us to do then we are certainly spiritual slackers. In fact, when we refuse to obey God, we are more than slackers, we are sinning.

In the book of James 4:17 we are given some challenging and convicting words. “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

Take a few moments today just to make sure you are not a spiritual slacker. If you feel you are then take actions now to change your direction in life. It is a matter of will and determination. It begins with reading the Bible daily and then communicating with God through prayer. We may make excuses for not obeying God by reading His Word and praying but God still calls it disobedience.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 14:5-6.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

PRAYER:

Give me the determination today to not be a slacker. Help me to know what You want me to do and then to obey Your call. Keep me from ignoring Your voice and choosing sinful ways that do not honor Your name.