SATURDAY 30 January, 2016
Idleness is the Devil’s Playground
It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. - 2 Samuel 11:1
Imagine this. David is rejoicing in his victories over his enemies. Without asking the Lord, he decides to go home and rest when he should have stayed active in battle, as kings do in the spring. Instead, he was at home, idle. Through idleness, David let his guard down and Satan, at this opportune time, brought an appealing temptation.
The familiar saying, ‘Idleness is the devil’s playground’, came from various bible verses such as: Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece (Proverbs 16:27, TLB). It means one who is idle will likely fall into sin. It is important to understand that Satan pursues spiritual people. You are not above temptation. Don’t ever think that it could not possibly happen to you because it can happen to anybody. First Corinthians 10:12 exhorts us: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Women are also warned not to eat the bread of idleness but to be busy watching over their homes (Proverbs 31:27). Do not be an idle man or woman, read God’s Word. Keep going forward and never retreat into idleness. If you stop reading God’s Word carnality will creep into your life. Satan will attack full power. A spiritual person has on the armor of God and can defeat their flesh fully and completely.
In what ways can you guard yourself against times of being idle?
Idleness sets the door of the heart ajar and asks Satan to come in.
~Charles Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!