Paul writes about a few believers in the city of Thessalonica. “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.” (II Thessalonians 3:11) Idle Walk means walking without purpose, and a specific destination. “Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
Idle words: The Lord Jesus Christ warned about idle words that are empty, meaningless, purposeless, and spoken to create false impressions. (Matthew 12:36) Paul explains the idle words as: filthy, foolish, crude jokes, irreverent babbles, contradictions termed falsely as knowledge. (Ephesians 5:4; I Timothy 6:20))
Busybodies: People who are not doing purposeful, meaningful, and productive work, but are involved in non-productive work are called busybodies. They are not just sleeping, but working with wrong priorities. Paul warns that young widows should marry again or else they may become idlers, going from house to house, gossiping, and becoming busybodies. (I Timothy 5:13)
Worthy cause: Idle people think there is nothing worthy to do. They fail to understand the Bible equips a believer to be involved in good works. (II Timothy 3:15-17)
Hard work: Believers are expected to do good work by working hard. Tabitha did good work by helping the poor. (Acts 9:36)
Gospel work: Eudia, Syntyhe, Epaphroditus, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis are listed as those who worked hard for the gospel. (Philippians 4:2-4; 2:30; Romans 16:12) Believers should work hard as it is the day, for the night is coming and no one could work. (John 9:4) Until the Lord comes, there will always be plenty of work to do, as the harvest is plentiful, and the labourers are few. (Matthew 9:37)
Troublemakers: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Such people tend to harbour criminal and destructive thoughts. These thoughts when implemented as actions are disastrous to society. Since they do not engage in meaningful work, they end up burdening or distracting others who do work. Being bad models, they encourage others to be lazy. Idle people live through others’ earnings, waste their resources, and are bad stewards.
Am I an Idle walker?