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
ExpressYourself4Him 