Proverbs 26:13 Commentary and Bible Study

This proverb captures the slothful man’s skill at inventing excuses. The excuse is very convincing; indeed if it were true it would be a good reason for not going outside at all. The lazy man not only wants to avoid doing any work, but he also wants to persuade everyone that he is not lazy, that he is a hard working individual who unfortunately is not able to do the tasks he wants to do. The trouble is that there is an endless stream of such excuses and that is all they are. The truth is that, although a lion may have been spotted in the region, it was some time ago and there is reason to think that it has left the area. But the sluggard clings to the sighting and wants it to continue to be true as a cover for his laziness. He is therefore a blatant deceiver, but a skilful one who knows what it takes to convince others. The slothful man cannot help also being a liar. But is God’s word concerned only with those who are physically lazy? Certainly this is a very harmful failing, but the spiritual counterpart is far more dangerous. Physical laziness may lead us to lose out on earthly rewards due to the law of cause and effect that God has put in place, but spiritual laziness risks a loss of eternal blessing from which we can never recover. Christ said, ‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able’ (Luke 13:24). He identifies the danger that the spiritually lazy place themselves in: they ensure that they never obtain forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a new nature, eternal life, and a place in heaven, for God has ordained that these things can only be gained through diligence. But isn’t salvation free, by grace alone? Certainly, but still God gives it to none but those who see their need of it, who value it greatly, who make the obtaining of it the chief concern of their lives. He will not give eternal life to those who are half hearted about it, and who set little value on Christ.