No, God did NOT create the character trait known as sloth! In fact, that is a sin, laziness! But God did create the animals that man has named the “sloth.”

This little mammal lives in the rain forests of Central and South America. With their long hair and shaggy fur, they resemble monkeys. They are two to two and a half feet long (tall) and weigh between 10-17 pounds, on average.

This little creature loves to sleep! If undisturbed, he can log as many as 18 hours a day snoozing away! He or she mostly lives in trees, his feet are structured so that walking on hard ground is uncomfortable! And when he is on the move, it takes an entire minute to travel a mere 14 feet!

Oh, this too. They live in the trees, as I said, but love to hang up there upside down! Most of their lives are spent in that awkward position!

He is so stationary (seldom moving far) that tiny plants grow on its fur! Green algae, to be a little more specific. This phenomenon makes this unique creature look like he’s part of the tree itself! Good protection, in fact! A typical enemy, predator of his … the flying eagle, especially when the sloth is young and more vulnerable! (I see God’s creativity in every line I am typing!)

He is not a social creature, either! Seldom seen in pairs! Usually if “two” are spotted, you are looking at a mother and child.

Now I am wondering exactly how they catch their food. Being so slow, so inactive. The answer: they survive on the very leaves of the trees they inhabit!

Can you understand why he is called that, a “sloth?” Which is permissible (I guess) in the animal world. But certainly not in the real world of human beings!

The Bible’s predominant word for “slothfulness” derives from the Hebrew “atsel,” meaning “lazy, sluggish,” or of course “slothful!”

Here’s one Bible character who is too lazy to even eat, to feed himself! “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” Proverbs 19:24

A danger of such laziness? “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” Proverbs 21:25

And apparently a slothful man makes up excuses not to leave his tree … I mean his house! “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” Proverbs 22:13

Sloths (the mammals) love to sleep, as we saw above. So do lazy humans, sleep too much! “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.” Proverbs 26:14

I have heard (read) enough!

I want to avoid sloth in every area of my life!

Here’s a therapeutic verse … “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Paul wisely adds … “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

Now Jesus our Lord teaches us, most importantly of all … “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4

Let’s WORK, not being LAZY, until Jesus comes again!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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