Word For The Day: Beware of Boredom
Two weeks ago, I shared with you from the Scriptures about the topic of “God and entertainment” and I have received a lot of positive feedback about it. I wanted, therefore, to pick up the same theme and in the next few days and give it a more proactive spin. One of the things I mentioned previously is that, although most of us often make an idol out of entertainment, it is not necessarily a sin itself. It is true that the line at times becomes blurry because we are so obsessed with being entertained, but there is a way to enjoy a time of leisure in a way that is not sinful. Therefore, in the next few days, I would like to answer the question, “how can I enjoy and partake of entertainment and leisure for God’s glory? The first thing I want to mention is this: beware of boredom!
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Prov. 19:15)
EXPLANATION:
Boredom, as commonly defined, is an emotional state experienced when an individual is left without anything in particular to do, is not interested in their surroundings, or feels that a day or period is dull or tedious. When a person is bored he lacks focus and attention, he is also not motivated and lacks a desire to engage in any productive activity. Though there is a debate as to whether boredom in itself is a sin, I believe it is obvious that it has the potential to create all types of sin and vice in our lives.
In the passage above, we find 2 results of boredom: laziness and idleness. Both of those sins bring consequences; slothfulness results in sleep and idleness in need or hunger. The problem is that when we are bored, we easily lower our guard, and because nothing else will satisfy us or motivate us, we automatically and mindlessly turn to entertainment to satisfy our need to be engaged in something. If we are constantly bored and have allowed ourselves to be unengaged, unsatisfied and not motivated by anything, we will easily overlook our responsibilities and choose entertainment every time. However, whether boredom is a sin or not, when we look at the Bible, we find that God did not create us to be bored. Boredom breeds apathy and the Lord commands us to live with passion and do our best in whatever comes to our hands to do (Eccl. 9:10; Colossians 3:23–24). Thus, we must avoid boredom at all costs so that it may not bring about sin in our lives.
APPLICATION:
As we have learned, being bored is very dangerous; it will give way to mindless and sinful entertainment. Therefore, in order to avoid boredom, you must be watchful.
A bored mind is Satan’s favorite playground. A bored mind lays a nice red carpet for temptation and sin to parade into your mind and heart. When you are not watchful, the Devil will have his way with you and will present all kinds of sinful things before your eyes in a very subtle way. If you are not watchful, you will not be able to filter out those things that are sinful. If you are bored you will swallow whatever pill of entertainment you are given, and you will not know if it is damaging or not’ if it’s God-honoring or not. I plead with you, therefore, find your passion, joy and motivation in serving Jesus. Protect yourself from boredom by being constantly engaged in meaningful, productive and God-honoring activities and work. If you are to partake of entertainment, make sure it is not because you are constantly bored, but because you have decided and found a way to be entertained for God’s glory. It may be time for you, then, to begin fighting the war against boredom before slothfulness and idleness find their way into your heart and life.
May God help you avoid boredom as you engage in entertainment for his glory.
Pastor Hector