17h • Wisdom
Danger in Slothfulness
‘The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.’ Proverbs 21:25
Proverbs 21:25 confronts a subtle but deadly contradiction: strong desire paired with stubborn inaction. The slothful man wants the outcome—provision, comfort, success—but refuses the means God has ordained to reach it. His desire is not weak; it is lethal precisely because it never moves him to obedience. Wanting without working becomes a form of self-destruction.
Scripture consistently ties blessing to diligent action, not mere longing. Proverbs 13:4 declares, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” Desire alone produces emptiness, while diligence produces satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 10:18 warns that “by much slothfulness the building decayeth,” showing that neglect always leads to loss. In the New Testament, James sharpens the same truth spiritually: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Desire without action is self-deception, whether in work, faith, or character.
The phrase “his hands refuse to labour” reveals the heart of the issue. This is not inability, but refusal. The slothful man resists effort, discipline, and perseverance. His death is not sudden, but slow—killed over time by unmet desires, wasted potential, and opportunities that pass him by. Proverbs 10:4 states plainly, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” God has designed work—both physical and spiritual—as a means of life, provision, and growth.
Practically, Proverbs 21:25 warns us against confusing intention with obedience. Good desires do not excuse disobedient hands. Wanting a godly life without prayer, Scripture, and repentance will slowly starve the soul. Wanting provision without effort will erode responsibility. Wanting growth without discipline leads to frustration and decay. This verse calls us to align desire with action, longing with labor. God honors diligence not because work saves us, but because faithful effort reflects a heart willing to obey. Desire becomes life-giving only when it moves the hands to do what God has already made clear.
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Danger in Slothfulness
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