Putting to Death Sloth

Sloth: disinclination to action or labor, spiritual apathy and

inactivity…

• Colossians 3:1-17• 2 Peter 1:5-7

Sloth is not opposed to sanctification provided there is no

work involved.

Signs of Sloth

1. Avoidance of labor.2. Preoccupation with comfort.3. Procrastination. 4. Excuses.5. Don’t finish what they start.6. Waste time in useless activities.

Results of Sloth

• Proverbs 6:9-11 Fall into poverty.• Proverbs 10:26 Pain to others• Proverbs 18:9 Brother to

destroyer.• Matthew 25:24-30 In danger.

Gospel Hope

• Diligence is not sloth’s antidote.• Discipline is not sloth’s antidote.• Desire is the antidote.

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Only the Gospel can change desire.

The Gospel kindles desire.

Psalm 119:32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart.

2 Peter 1:9-10 whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Gospel Response

• Enter his rest… Hebrews 4:9-11• Ask Yourself – Does my faith

“work”?o Are my desires misplaced?o Are my desires too weak?o Do I have a wrong view of

rest?• Confess – 1 John 1:9/James 5:16• Work HARD to find rest in Christ.