Laziness | Overcome The Major Obstacle To Personal & Professional Growth

Do you know the laziest animal in the world?

It’s called a sloth.

Everything about them is slow, including movement and digestion. They spend 15 to 20 hours feeding and sleeping every day.[1]

Sin has a way of fooling a sinner into thinking they are strong when they are weak, seeing when they are blind, and feeling alive when they are dying.

Laziness is one of those sins that many people refuse to acknowledge they commit. Why? Because they are busy with many things, but when evaluated based on the value added by what keeps them busy, there is nothing to show for it.

So, are you a lazy or diligent person?

Let’s find out.

Lazy means “not willing to work or use any effort.”[2]

Laziness is knowing what you need to do and can do it for God, others, or yourself, and not doing it or doing it but not doing it well.

Other words for lazy are careless, indifferent, passive, neglectful, procrastinating, unpersevering, or idle.[3] A lazy person is often referred to as a slacker, a sloth, or a lazybones.

According to the Bible, laziness is a sin. One of the reasons God destroyed Sodom was because of laziness. (Ezekiel 16:49)

The apostles of Jesus Christ taught Christians to warn fellow believers who are idle. He said those who are lazy, undisciplined, and don’t want to work should not eat. And if they refused to change their ways, believers were not to associate with them, because they were not imitating the example set for them. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

Instead of being lazy, God desires us to be diligent.

Diligent means “careful and serious in your work, or done in a careful and determined way.”[4]

Other words for diligent are active, attentive, careful, eager, persistent, determined, purposeful, and enterprising.[5]

A person who is incapable or unable to do something due to factors beyond their control is not lazy. For instance, someone may be unemployed for a season because they can’t find a job. Still, being jobless doesn’t mean being idle. They can be busy volunteering, taking care of their family, or learning something new.

As we explore the seven differences between a lazy and diligent person, please take a moment to examine yourself.

7 Differences Between A Lazy & Diligent Person

#1: A lazy person makes excuses for not doing their duty. A diligent person does what they should do.

What excuses do people who dislike working give? How about those who don’t eat healthy or exercise, those who don’t study their Bible and pray daily, or those who don’t grow their mind or nurture their relationships?

A lazy person feels sorry for themselves, blames other people, complains about many things, and regards themselves as victims. They fear pushing themselves and stepping outside their comfort zone.

Their laziness hinders them from practicing basic habits, such as eating well, maintaining their bodies, and keeping their homes and compounds clean, among others.

King Solomon wrote;

“The slacker buries his hand in the dish;
it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

(Proverbs 26:15)

Due to excuses, a lazy person is often reluctant to take risks. They play it safe and stay stuck in the same place for a long time.

Listen to this crazy excuse for not going to work;

“The slacker says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be slain in the streets!”

(Proverbs 22:13)

Another result of making excuses is pushing what should be done today to a future time. As a slacker procrastinates, their life passes by, making it harder to catch up on what they should have done the day before.

Jesus told the parable of the wicked and lazy servant who buried his one talent. He said to the master;

“‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man,

reaping where you have not sown

and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent

in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’

(Matthew 25:24-25)

The master called him wicked and lazy. He took his unused talent and gave it to the most diligent one.

What excuses and complaints are stopping you from doing what you need to do regarding your body, mind, relationship with God and people, job, or other aspects of your life?

#2: A lazy person doesn’t have plans. A diligent person makes and follows through with their plans.

God makes and executes plans. Because we are made in His image and likeness, we have a mind that can learn, create, and plan. (Isaiah 37:26, 46:10)

Planning involves preparing for what we need to do and anticipating what will happen in the future. For instance, when a diligent person earns, they don’t spend everything but save or reinvest some of it. But a lazy person without a plan will consume everything. (Proverbs 21:20)

King Solomon tells a lazy person to learn from the ant, saying;

“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker;
observe its ways and become wise.
Without a commander,
without an overseer or ruler,
it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food at harvest.
(Proverbs 6:6-8)

Like ants, a diligent person is proactive and takes initiative to address their personal problems and those of the people around them. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, he does not eat the bread of idleness (eating what one has not worked for). (Proverbs 31:27)

Diligence is about making sacrifices, stretching, and going the extra mile. According to Jesus, it’s the giving up of your life for His sake and the sake of others. That’s what motivated Paul to work harder than the other apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Back to plans. Do you have a plan for the things that matter to you?

Prophet Isaiah wrote;

“But a noble man makes honorable plans;
he stands up for worthy causes.”

(Isaiah 32:8)

Do you have SMARTER plans for growing in your purpose and completing your assignments? Find more about making such goals and how to come up with an obedience plan in our book, Introduction To Discipleship House Series.

#3: A lazy person wastes time. A diligent person makes the most of their time.

A lazy person has no sense of life’s seasons, while a diligent person knows and makes use of every opportunity. For instance, when a student is in school, it’s time to study and not let anything else distract them. Lazy students often fail to engage in learning during their school years, perform poorly, and may not even graduate.

King Solomon observed;

“He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

(Proverbs 10:5)

A lazy person is idle. They like to ‘pass the time’ doing things that add no value to their lives. For instance, how can someone spend hours watching movies, series, or numerous football matches at the expense of work, family, spiritual growth, and mental well-being?

Laziness leads to lust (sexual and financial, among others), and lust leads to more laziness. One of the antidotes to laziness is to think of ways a person can use their time to serve others rather than be preoccupied with their interests and needs.

The Psalmist prayed,

“So teach us to number our days,
that we may present a heart of wisdom.

(Psalms 90:12)

Do you often ask God for wisdom to make the most of your time?

#4: A lazy person misuses and squanders resources. A diligent person makes good use of resources.

God gives each person valuable resources and expects us to use them for our own good and the good of others. We’re stewards of those resources as we carefully manage them on His behalf, and we shall give an account to Him.

Unfortunately, those who are lazy don’t value the resources in their care. Listen to what King Solomon says;

“A lazy man does not roast his game,
while a diligent man prizes his possession.”

(Proverbs 12:27)

“Through laziness the roof caves in,
and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.”

(Ecclesiastes 10:18)

Whoever is slothful in his work
is brother to him who destroys.

(Proverbs 18:9)

How are you managing resources such as money, property, the environment, gifts, and relationships that God has entrusted to you?

#5: A lazy person is unreliable because of shoddy work. A diligent person is excellent, consistent, competent, and faithful in whatever they do.

It takes time to earn people’s trust and build a reputation, and only a minute to lose it. A lazy person doesn’t do a great job and disappoints people.

However, a diligent person is excellent at whatever they do and will go the extra mile. Because they are consistent, people trust them and feel comfortable giving them more responsibilities and resources.

King Solomon wrote;

“Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will be stationed in the presence of kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.

(Proverbs 22:29)

#6: A lazy person daydreams and desires what they don’t have. A diligent person is grateful and content with what they have as they work toward their goals.

Lazy people desire many things and spend hours thinking about them. Lazy Christians believe that by confessing, declaring, and claiming what they want by faith, they will receive it. They use prayer, giving, and serving God as a means to escape poverty, yet they are not diligent in their work.

The Bible says;

“The slacker craves yet has nothing,
but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.”

(Proverbs 13:4)

Another interesting trait of lazy people is that they deceive themselves into believing they are wiser than others and that they have God on their side, rather than humbling themselves, seeking counsel from others, and obeying the scriptures.

King Solomon says;

“The slacker buries his hand in the dish;
it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.

(Proverbs 26:15-16)

A diligent person commits their plans to God, asks for His wisdom and strength, and works hard toward those plans. They also seek counsel from wise individuals to achieve success. (Psalms 37:5, Proverbs 16:3)

Christians who are tempted to focus on spiritual activities and neglect other aspects of their lives need a reminder that there is time for everything. A time to pray, fast, and go for fellowships, and a time to learn, work, and provide for their families. Both are essential.

Hasn’t God said He will bless the works of our hands? If someone doesn’t work with their hands, what do they expect God to bless? (Deuteronomy 28:12)

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life,

minding your own business

and working with your hands,

just as we instructed you before.

Then people who are not believers

will respect the way you live,

and you will not need to depend on others.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:10-12_NLT)

#7: A lazy person ends up stagnant, poor, useless, and depressed. A diligent person makes progress and is fruitful in everything they do, whether small or big.

The life of a lazy person often ends in sadness, while that of a diligent person ends in joy and peace after a life well lived and given. Such success is not about how much money or possessions a diligent person has or how well they are known, but the satisfaction of having given their best to whatever they did.

Some people are materially poor due to factors beyond their control. Others are poor because they are lazy. King Solomon wrote;

“The hand of the diligent will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.”

(Proverbs 12:24)

“Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and an idle soul will suffer hunger.”

(Proverbs 19:15)

Every time we neglect a particular aspect of our lives, thorns grow, walls break, and poverty sets in. That’s the message of this Bible passage;

“I went past the field of a slacker
and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.
Thorns had grown up everywhere,
thistles had covered the ground,
and the stone wall was broken down.
I observed and took it to heart;
I looked and received instruction:
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and need like a bandit.

(Proverbs 24:30-34)

Like the sloth that hangs on trees and moves from one tree to another, a lazy person is always hanging out and moving from one party to another, from one social media, TV station, or movie to another. Because they do this mindlessly, their lives feel meaningless and fruitless.

They love pleasure, entertainment, and comfort more than work and service to others. By passing their time and burying their gifts, talents, and skills, lazy people waste their lives and fail to  impact the lives of others.

Sadly, the consequences of laziness often become apparent later in life, when a person can do little to undo the damage. This can lead to depression and mental issues when things begin to fall apart.

God made us to work hard, be creative, and make the most of who we are and what we have. He has given each of us a specific amount of time on earth so we can participate in His work.

Isn’t that a privilege?

Why then do we take for granted and not give our best in what is expected of us?

The Bible says;

“For we are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

(Ephesians 2:10)

If you realize you’re indeed lazy in certain areas of your life, don’t despair. Repent of your laziness before God and ask Him for the strength to start doing what you need to do.

Start by making small changes to your daily habits to build discipline and consistency. You might not notice progress right away, but as you keep working on your goals or taking small steps, you’ll become more diligent in that area.

Focus on growing in your purpose. Work on your physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. When you succeed in self-care or self-leadership, you will be better equipped to build your families, organizations, communities, and nations.

References:

[1] https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/sloth. Accessed 18/9/25.

[2] Definition of lazy from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press. Accessed 28/8/25.

[3] https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/lazy. Accessed 28/8/25.

[4] Definition of diligent from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press. Accessed 28/8/25.

[5] https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/diligent. Accessed 28/8/25.