The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly (Pro 26:13-16).

Few men believe they are lazy. Most of us think we work hard. That is what Proverbs is for. There are numerous themes in Proverbs, including money, speech, sexual immorality, and bad company. But hard work and laziness are among the most prominent. Proverbs exposes us. We say, “I am not a lazy fool” Proverbs says, “Let’s see about that.”

Proverbs 26:13-16 gives four signs that you are sluggard.

A Sluggard Creates Imaginary Difficulties to Avoid Work

“There is a lion in the streets.” “I can’t find my pencil.” “The computer was too slow.” “The mower wasn’t sharp enough.” “The sun was in my eyes.” “The traffic was bad.”  “My health is bad.” On and on it goes. A sluggard looks at the work to be done and then conjures up imaginary reasons why it can’t be done. He or she makes excuses for not doing what he or she knows needs to be done.

The answer to this is not difficult. Do your job.  What is your work for the day? What does God require of you? What needs doing? Then fix your mind and get it done. In our house, this excuse making usually comes school and chores. “Dad, I can’t do math because my sister is being too loud.” Or “I can’t take up the garbage because I can’t find my shoes.” When my sons come to me with an excuse like that I say, “Find a way to get it done.”  A hard working man or woman does not let obstacles, real or imagined, get in the way of their work.  Continue reading →