What Scripture Teaches About Rest and Laziness

Rest is important, that’s something everyone knows. But at what point do we cross the line into laziness? It’s a fine line to walk just like they say the line is between love and hate. I often stumble into laziness. Most of the time, I fail to achieve the rest my body needs. Does anyone else feel the same? I wonder if it is possible to find a way to rest adequately. How can we do this without crossing into laziness? That’s the aim of this post, by consulting Scripture we will learn what the bible says about rest and laziness.

What does the Bible say about rest?

“On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation.”
Genesis 2:2-3

In the first book of the Bible, rest is mentioned for the first time. At the beginning of Genesis chapter two, we read that God rested on the seventh day. He created the heavens and the earth on the previous six days. He declared the day was holy because He rested which shows the importance of rest.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14

Moses was blessed and stressed. He was the leader of the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt through the wilderness. His leadership continued until they were to enter the promised land. The Israelites caused a lot of problems and made many mistakes, much like we do. Moses spoke to God on their behalf. Moses was blessed because God anointed him for this calling. He was even more blessed because he has been in God’s physical presence. His face was radiant after being in His glorious presence.

It was during one such conversation that rest is mentioned. In Exodus 33:14, we read that God’s presence will be with the Israelites and He will give them rest. This means the presence of God brings rest. Without God and His presence, we can’t truly achieve rest.

Do you ever try and rest doing something you know God wouldn’t approve of? Or you haven’t brought Him into that situation? Afterwards, you still feel tired as if you hadn’t been resting at all. Only God can bring true rest.

“For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said “You will be delivered by returning and resting: your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing.”
Isaiah 30:15

God promises to protect us and give us rest. But when we don’t trust Him we do not receive His promises. Trusting in God means rest. When we trust in God, we don’t have to worry about protection because He will protect us. We don’t have to worry about our finances because He will provide. Often we doubt and lose our trust in God in some circumstances. Yet, His promises are real. Let’s put aside the doubt. Replace it with trust and find rest with Him.

“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”
Mark 6:31

Rest is important. We must take time out to re-energise and relax. This allows us to face the challenges ahead and work better. When we are tired and grumpy, we don’t do our best work. Mistakes and arguments in the workplace are more common. This is one reason why we must rest. Sometimes that rest comes in the form of isolation from people like in this verse or taking a holiday.

“Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, for the person who carries out evil plans.”
Psalm 37:7

In Psalm 37, we are told to rest in the Lord. Some translations say to be silent before Him and wait for Him. The rest this verse speaks about is silence. This verse relates to the last one. When we trust in God, we don’t have to waste our energy on fighting battles we can’t win. Instead, we give it to God and let Him fight them for us. We don’t need to defend ourselves because God will, He has promised to protect us. We also don’t need to worry. God is in control. He can work everything out for good as it says in Romans 8:28. Sometimes being silent is the best response, it also makes it easier to hear our Lord speak.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

This verse is arguably the most famous when it comes to speaking about rest. Who better to learn from than our Saviour Jesus? This verse sums up the rest we need simply.

In short, it is in Jesus that we find rest, it is a gift only He can give. We receive that rest when we follow His ways. When we follow Jesus we no longer need to be self-sufficient, we can rely on Him to provide. We just need to be willing to learn and let Him transform us as we do. We find rest when we follow Jesus because He shares our burdens and makes them easier to bear. When He is with us, He strengthens us so we can face whatever comes our way (Philippians 4:13).

What about laziness?

The verses about laziness are certainly something to behold, they make you want to think twice about your actions.

“Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer, it gathers its food during harvest.”
Proverbs 6:6-8

Ants are known for being hard workers. They have no leaders. They don’t need to be told to work; they just do it. This is unlike us procrastinators and lazy people who sometimes need a push.

The difference between lazy people and go-getters like the ants is failure and success. Hard work is the key to success even if it means many failures before the success arrives. We ought to follow the ants’ example as the proverb says so that we avoid the sin of laziness.

“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.”
Proverbs 10:26

Have you ever been to a bonfire and the smoke kept getting in your eyes irritating them? That’s what laziness is to the people around us – irritating and disappointing. Our lack of concern for the things that concern others can make them feel less loved. Showing a good work ethic demonstrates our care and love.

“At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.”
1 Timothy 5:13

Laziness is one of those sins that most people don’t take seriously. Look at society today it is filled with lazy people. How many people do you know that you sometimes think they’re just wasting their life? Sure, it is good to rest but there is always a point when it is time to start working again.

I believe it is possible to be accidentally lazy. You intend to start doing something but get distracted by social media. Next thing you know, an hour has passed. You feel bad about having wasted so much time.

Intentions are a big part of success, and when we fail to achieve our intentions we get nowhere. Unless the intention is to be lazy. This verse from 1 Timothy shows how laziness is frowned upon by society just as it is today. It also demonstrates the importance of setting an example for our children. We must be intentional with our time. We should also be diligent with the work placed in front of us.

“Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.”
Hebrews 6:11-12

When we start down the path of laziness, we quickly lose the desire to work. We lose motivation, and soon after, discipline falls away. This passage encourages us not to follow the ways of laziness and sin. It instructs us to imitate those who are faithful. We should emulate those who endure. They work hard for whatever is placed in front of us.

We face a choice every day. We can choose to be intentional or lazy. Far too often, we start with the intention of working hard. However, we don’t follow through.

The balance between rest and laziness

Now we know what Scripture has to say – how do we apply it to our lives? Is it possible to achieve the balance between rest and laziness?

It is possible to rest and not be lazy. Honestly, the risk of laziness is usually much lower than we think. Sometimes we call ourselves lazy for resting longer when truly we need the rest. If we want to avoid laziness, we must first know our limits. When we know we are unable to do something, it is not laziness. If we are able and still choose not to that’s sometimes just a matter of priorities. But if we are able, it needs doing and we still choose not to. This is when we cross into the territory of laziness.

Most importantly we want to invite God into every moment whether we are resting or working. If we are resting with God we are less likely to fall into the sin of laziness. If we do sin we have the reassurance of God’s promise to forgive us when we do.

If we want to avoid laziness we must follow through on our intentions to the best of our ability. If the intention is to go for a walk, then that’s what we must do. Even if it is only ten minutes. A great way to avoid being lazy is to break down tasks into more manageable chunks. A little progress is far better than none, and in this way, we build up our discipline.

We will always be faced with the temptation of laziness, the enemy will try and convince our minds that it is just rest. If that happens consider how you feel, is there peace with the idea of rest? Or is it just a scheme to distract you from something more important? It can be hard to tell but know that if you choose wrong God is faithful to forgive.

Sometimes it’s best not to even think about what needs to be done and just do it like housework. For example, if you have time, and see the dishes need doing, just start. The moment you start considering, you will talk yourself out of it and do something else. Sure, you may become productive in another way. However, those dishes will still be there. You still won’t want to do them. If music helps you be productive then blast some to motivate you until it’s done.

The balance between rest and laziness will always be up to choice. If you choose to stay in bed all day and call it rest it’s up to you. For you, it may be much-needed rest because you’ve been ill or on the edge of burnout. However, someone else might see it as laziness. The important choice to make is to never give up whether you fall into laziness or not.

I hope this post has helped you better understand the boundaries between rest and laziness. I pray for all who are reading this. May you receive the full rest God can give you. May you have the strength to resist the temptation of laziness in Jesus’ name. Amen.