Tag Archives: idleness

Conventional Thinking

A convent is a facility where woman seek refuge from the ways of the world.  This building serves as a refuge, a place where individuals attempt to devote their lives to prayer, reading the Bible and service.  While Hollywood has their own ideas from films such as Sister Act and the Sound of Music, convents provide a setting which goes against conventional thinking.

Unfortunately, worldly thinking has infiltrated the church, causing believers to have selfish thoughts.  When members of a congregation expect pastors, priests and teachers to do this or that because this is what they are paid to do, they are missing the point.  The apostle Paul reminds followers that the church is one body with many parts, 1 Corinthians 12:1-6.  The Bible clearly goes against the flow, suggesting you might be the only Jesus someone might ever encounter, Matthew 5:13-16.

Thus, after experiencing joy earlier in the week, I have found myself in a battle between complacency and conventional thinking.  Tired of leading this and that, I indulged in laziness, sitting along the sidelines this weekend.  Although pop culture may applaud me for taking a break, my heart was convicted by sins of omission.  Whenever idleness lulls you into a false sense of security, guard your heart and protect your mind, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8.  When you arm yourself with Scripture, conventional thinking will be a thing of the past, replaced by a Mother Teresa like faith.

by Jay Mankus

Idle Potion #666

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were the architects of the 1959 hit Love Potion #9.  Originally performed by The Clovers, this song rose to as high as 23 on the U.S. charts before falling back into the capsule of history.  Love potion number 9 refers to a spell which falls upon on man who ends up kissing everyone he sees like the modern country song Beer Goggles written by Neal McCoy.

Similar trances exist today, causing anyone who drinks of the world’s ways to gradually fall prey to a spirit of idleness.  Two months ago I was hungry for the Word of God, spending 1-2 hours daily reading the Bible and praying.  These daily reflections kept me from buying into the schemes of the devil, Ephesians 6:11.  However, as March faded away, so did my desire to continue super sizing my faith.  Thus, like tumbleweeds in steady Texas winds, I have been performing back flips, rolling ever closer to idle potion #666.

The expression out of sight, out of mind rings true, as the devil uses busyness as a portal into idleness.  When you add to this equation distractions and weariness, it only takes a whiff to induce innocent souls toward the devil’s lair.  God sends a spiritual wind to snap anyone out of idleness in the form of 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10.  Therefore, before you get too comfortable, examine your heart to see who or what you are actually following.  Set your mind on obeying 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 or else you might be the next victim of idle potion #666.

by Jay Mankus

The Pain of Sin

Since the garden of Eden, the consequences of sin have left people in agony.  Guilt has become like a nightmare that won’t go away, often overwhelming your soul.  Meanwhile, shame isn’t far behind, leaving a trail of disappointment, embarrassment, and tattered reputations in its wake.  If this wasn’t enough, the fear of punishment and rejection bombard an individual’s mind, wishing they did not partaken in sin.

Regardless of how moral you claim to be, everyone has had a 2 Samuel 11 moment.  One second you are thinking about others, then boredom leads to idleness, from here aimless wandering leads your heart into the presence of sin.  These momentary lapses in judgments are common, except the time they last.  The sooner a person comes to their senses, the softer the blow you have to endure.  However, if you choose to go on a binge of rebellion like King David, adultery, lying and murder will flush your legacy right down the toilet.

When a man after God’s own heart sins, 1 Samuel 16:7, no one is exempt from the power of temptation.  Psalm 38:1-11 serves as a confessional for David, describing the pain sin has left behind within his soul.  This crippling state should inspire Christians to follow the words of 1 Peter 5:8-9, who also struggled with this pain, swallowing his pride after publicly denying Jesus 3 times.  Submit to God, resist the devil and the pain of sin can become a distant memory, James 4:7-8.

by Jay Mankus

Idleness

As a former teacher, I discovered many of my students confused idle with idol.  The term idle means to be inactive, inoperative, unoccupied and still.  Meanwhile, idol is either a deity, god or statue created to pay homage to and worship.  According to a famous Spanish Proverb, “The busy man is troubled with but one devil; the idle man by a thousand”.

One of the greatest examples of idleness is found in 2 Samuel 11.  Each spring, kings were responsible for taking their army to fight, securing their land from any anxious or greedy nations seeking to expand their borders.  However, in verse 1, King David sends his commander Joab off to war, but he remained in Jerusalem.  Not being where you are suppose to be is the epitome of being idle.  Yet, some may say, “so what, he’s the king, who needs an extended vacation.”  Wait and see!

At the annual NFL Rookies symposium Herm Edwards, former NFL player and ESPN analyst, Edwards gave a sermon to all the first year players.  One of his best lines was, “men, nothing good ever happens after midnight!”  According to verse 2, David began to wander around the palace after midnight.   Instead of channeling surfing or scanning the internet, David chose the next best thing, taking a stroll on the roof to search for chicks.  Either David quickly became a peeping Tom or Bathsheba was trying to get someone’s attention by flaunting her beautiful body?  Regardless of the facts, neither one was demonstrating noble character, Proverbs 31:27.

Everyone knows how this story ends, if not read 2 Samuel 11 for yourself, but 2 things could have prevented sin from being born.  First, if David went to work, going off to war, he wouldn’t of had 3 months of idle time.  Second, once he discovered Bathsheba was married in verse 3, he should have sent her home.  Yet, like Eve with the apple, once David lusted in his heart, there was no turning back.  Sin is often a byproduct of idleness, poor foresight or bad decision making.  Break free today by following Paul’s advice in Romans 13:13-14!

by Jay Mankus