Bishop Keith Butler
Feb 29
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. (Proverbs 15:19)
Have you ever had to move around a thorn bush or had to pull something out of a spiny bush? What does it feel like? It feels prickly, obstructive, problematic, and painful.
Proverbs tells us that a slothful person is just like a hedge of thorns. They are uncomfortable, painful and stop the progress of where others want to go. The slothful person purposely avoids as much work and responsibility as possible and creates a barrier of excuses that don’t just affect them, but everyone around them.
Purposely watch those around your life for signs of slothfulness. Not only are they impending themselves, but they will prick those around them with the same attitude and character as a thorn bush. Ask yourself, “Are they willing to work or are they always making excuses?” “Do they want to do the hard thing, or are they always looking for a shortcut?”
But don’t just look at others. Proverbs 15:19 offers us a good chance to look at our own lives. Are there areas where your own excuses have held back what God is trying to do in your life?
Maybe God is highlighting someone that you know who has been stuck in a cycle of slothfulness that has stopped them from moving forward. Pray about how you can minister to someone and help them get out of those excuses that bind them.
The other side of Proverbs 15:19 is that the righteous person’s way is made plain. That means you will see obstructions and help clear the way. Maybe God is calling you to share wisdom and revelation with someone He has put in your life who is struggling with slothfulness.
Pay attention to the excuses those around you give for refusing to work on something. It is important that you discern the character of others and are led by the Holy Spirit of how to minister to them to get them out of the cycle of slothfulness.