When did you last use the word “sloth?” In today’s vernacular, words such as lazy, idle, apathetic, or inactive often replace the word sloth. Sometimes, even “slothfulness” as a concept seems unrelatable in our busy lives.
Like other sins, the sin of sloth is generated from the heart, reflected through outward action and inaction. We find something deeper and broader when we look at the inward condition from which slothfulness comes. There, we find a heart attitude leisurely enjoying the company of other sins.
A friend once declared that God’s Word promises He will provide, so he didn’t need to get a job. To defend his decision, he rested on his chosen smorgasbord of supporting Bible verses, many out of context and misconstrued. Although others in his circle called his inaction slothful, my friend dug in. He unwisely equated his intentional lack of work with reliance on God.
Although the term “sloth” sounds antiquated, the problem is not. So, what does the Bible mean when it talks about laziness and the sin of sloth?
Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins depicted in Dante's renowned work, "The Divine Comedy", specifically, in the second part of his epic poem, "Purgatorio". In "Purgatorio," Dante climbs Mount Purgatory, which is divided into various terraces, each representing a different sin that must be purged. The fourth terrace is where the slothful souls are punished. These are individuals who, in life, failed to act upon their duties and responsibilities due to laziness or spiritual apathy. Dante portrays sloth not just as physical laziness but as a spiritual indifference, a failure to love God and one's neighbors actively.
The punishment for the slothful in Dante's Purgatory is particularly fitting: they are condemned to run ceaselessly without rest. This constant movement is intended to counteract their lethargy in life. By running, they are forced into action, symbolizing the need for continuous spiritual vigilance and the importance of being proactive in one's faith and duties.
Dante's treatment of sloth highlights his belief that true fulfillment and spiritual growth come from active engagement in life's responsibilities and in nurturing one's relationship with God. He emphasizes that sloth is not just a minor failing but a significant obstacle to spiritual progress, as it prevents individuals from fully committing to their moral and religious obligations.
Similarly, the theology of the Roman Catholic church teaches that the sin of sloth is one of seven deadly sins. Pope Gregory the Great taught the list of seven sins, which the church adopted as a doctrine in the sixth century. The seven—pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth—are taught as basic vices that nurture greater sins.
Both Dante and Catholic Church beliefs highlight the idea that sloth is not just physical laziness but also spiritual negligence. An active, engaged faith that shuns complacency and embraces the call to love and serve diligently.
Although these seven sins are denounced in Scripture, and sin does birth more sin, this precise list of deadly sins is not found in the Bible. However, the Bible makes it clear that all sin is deadly. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV).
Sin has separated us from God and brought spiritual and physical death to humankind. The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners who need salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV).
Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the eternal death we’ve inherited through our sinful nature. The gift of grace waits for all who will receive it.
The Bible often discusses the consequences and behavior of slothful people. Both the Old Testament and New Testament condemn sloth as sin. However, Proverbs most often addresses it, characterizing it as ungodly conduct.
The Hebrew word atsal translates to “sluggard,” “lazy,” or “slacker” in many English translations. It describes one as idle, indolent, or sluggish. The picture of arms crossed, resting lazily against a wall while others work is an image that comes quickly to mind. We have all played both parts—the lethargic watcher and the busy laborer—at some time or another.
Laziness, described as a lack of motivation, can be displayed through behaviors like avoidance, lethargy, apathy, and emotional or physical disengagement. These behaviors may stem from different sources. Fear often prompts a reluctance to action. Selfishness, lack of purpose, and uncaring attitudes all contribute to the inactivity or unresponsiveness we deem lazy.
Proverbs 13:4 describes lazy people as wanting much but getting little and starkly contrasts them with those who become prosperous by hard work.
Proverbs 21:25 predicts ruin for the lazy person. Proverbs 6:9 describes them as someone who wastes time and life.
The lazy person depicted in Proverbs 19:24 is apathetic—so much so that he doesn’t even bother to put food into his mouth.
Proverbs 10:4 shows poverty as a logical consequence of laziness and contrasts it with those who gain wealth from their diligence.
The problem of sloth sin didn’t go away in the New Testament. There, it is decried as the opposite of a productive Christian life. One of the Greek words used in the original text is ataktos, which means disorderly, irresponsible, or undisciplined. We see this in passages like the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8 ESV).
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV)
The Apostle Paul continues in this strong passage about slothful behavior with this warning: “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV).
Slothfulness demonstrates a heart disconnected from God's commands and priorities. His ways and decrees demand love, loyalty, and purpose. They require diligence, courage, and strength. They invite the best of us rather than partial or half-hearted service. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).
A devoted servant of God produces outward actions that please Him. They stem from internal conviction, industriousness, conscientiousness, and devoted servanthood growing out of a love relationship. Sloth sin demonstrates the antithesis of vibrant devotion to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Without a Biblical understanding of God’s design for humankind, the heart strays to apathy and lack of purpose. In Genesis, God created humanity to work. The Creator strategically placed Adam and Eve to work in the Garden and care for what He made before sin entered the scene. Work was not punishment then, nor is it now.
The sin of sloth stems from a careless relationship with God, which allows other desires to squelch or undermine His design and good for us. The Bible espouses a work ethic that reflects to whom our service belongs. When we work with a heart motivated by Christ, we bring Him honor and glory.
Although some view sloth and laziness as separate problems, dictionaries define them as synonymous. Sloth is sometimes distinguished as the root cause of laziness. Separating the sin of sloth and laziness is difficult to support in Scripture. They appear interchangeably in the Bible as well. Distinctions may result from varying translations derived from the same root.
However, the sin of sloth is broader than the vague category of laziness. Excuses for not cleaning the house, doing homework later, or putting off mowing the lawn may certainly stem from laziness. However, sometimes the sin is more subtle. It can show up even on our busiest days.
Avoiding problems, apathy, procrastination, and a lack of caring are also slothful attitudes. They center on the self.
If we consider sloth a problem stemming from a spiritual issue, we can see how easily these attitudes may spread to other areas without our awareness. Avoidance deters us from pursuing and accomplishing God’s call. It often chooses mindless tasks and overly busy schedules, which can also be a form of sloth.
Being too busy with something to shun something else, rather than seeking what God wants us to do, spawns from a heart that nurtures my pleasures above God’s. It may manifest by neglecting care or not providing for another’s needs.
Screen time, social media, and mind-numbing device scrolling not only consume time but also foster and create difficult-to-change habits of lethargy.
Procrastination often hides behind schedules and difficult workloads. Sloth’s ploy may make us feel too busy to make a major job or career change. It might cause us to forestall what we ought to do for other activities we’d rather be doing. From the heart, slothful subtilities find their way outward.
Sloth distracts from doing God’s core purpose and principal desires. Certainly, no one is immune to substituting God’s best for a more comfortable, less intimidating, or easier endeavor. Sloth tempts everyone.
I began this article by asking when you last used the word “sloth.” Now, let me ask when you last confessed the sin of sloth in your life. If sloth still exists and manifests itself in different ways, as believers, we should be watchful of its presence in our daily lives.
Rarely have I confessed slothfulness as a sin to God, perhaps because I haven’t recognized it. The sin of sloth begs us to consider and examine our hearts.
Let’s also return to my friend who did not feel a need to work a job. Many of us who might be guilty of being too busy could find it easy to judge him as lazy. And we might be right. But laziness can be present even in the busiest of times.
Sloth is often at the root of apathy about reading our Bibles or when we avoid gathering with His people. We might not recognize it in our hustle and bustle, which neglects spending time with family or puts off making important decisions. Yet, it is there too. Unproductiveness, wasting time, or unprofitable use of time all relate to a heart where sloth has taken up residence.
Our lives belong to God. As we prayerfully consider areas in our lives and examine our hearts for the sin of sloth, we will become more equipped to combat it and experience victory over it. We find purpose and renewed productivity as we diligently direct our time and energy to please Him.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/SB Arts Media
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
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