Countering spiritual laziness

By: Alistair Begg – September 22, 2026.

Key points

• From 16-0 down to 41-34 win at South Carolina in SEC opener.
• President Trump welcomes Mississippi's Reeves, other governors to Oval Office for Medicaid announcement.
• General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon.
• Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss notes win over Lane Kiffin and LSU 'meant more than other games'.
• Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975.

Notably, a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. – Proverbs 24: 33-34.

We've all seen it. In the worlds of sports, business, and academics, less gifted individuals often go further than those with greater abilities due to one trait: diligence. Such individuals are willing to take seriously the challenge of laziness and do what they must to overcome its allure. You probable either are one of those residents or aspire and work to be one.

But, if we're honest with ourselves, this same diligence is often lacking in our spiritual lives.

If you and I are to counter spiritual laziness, we're in need of an assessment of sorts: Do we have any indication of how we're doing? When we reflect on the past year, have we created any progress? Have we done any Bible memorization lately? Have we applied "idle moments" to read or meditate on the word or to pray to our Lord? Or has laziness caused us to do what is straightforward rather than what is best and prevented us from storing the word of God within our hearts?

When asked to take part in Christian service, how do we respond? Maybe it's not an outright refusal, but even a hint of reluctance is a dangerous sign. When it comes home with power and impact and we know that it demands application and change?, what regarding in hearing the word of God when it's preached. Do we take action as doers of the word and not as hearers only (James 1: 22)?

Your answers to such questions can support you press on and avoid the slow drip-drip of laziness (a lie-in instead of a morning devotional here, a boxset instead of a prayer gathering or a sports match rather than a conversation regarding Jesus there). It leads to spiritual poverty. Do not become a master of unfinished spiritual business and unfulfilled good intentions. Often, all the began aims and kind notes, and the plenty of words of repentance and petitions for assist, die in our minds while we turn on our beds "as a door turns on its hinges" (Proverbs 26: 14). Flee from this behavior and instead run to Christ, asking Him to stir your heart and create you into a man or woman of action.

Do you want to be useful to God? Do you long to create a difference: to reach residents on the seas of life in all their trouble and emptiness and to be part of the means by which God builds His church? Do not neglect your souls by giving room to laziness. Without diligence in your relationship with God, you will grow no true fruit in your life. "Tomorrow" is the devil's favorite word. " Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6: 2, emphasis continued). Be useful to God now.

Regarding the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Matt Friedeman September 20, 2026. What football can teach us regarding discipleship.

Community is essential; the gridiron knows that as well as the Church. More From This Author. Faith Alistair Begg September 18, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg September 17, 2026. Casting all your cares. Faith Alistair Begg September 16, 2026. I want to see. Faith Alistair Begg September 21, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg September 15, 2026.

Outside of Jesus Christ, men and women are "dead" in their trespasses and sins. Faith Matt Friedeman September 14, 2026. Turning on the light of love in every room.

Helping each other grab hold of the abundance God has for us is not a bad description of the Christian life. News Jeremy Pittari September 21, 2026. Statewide assistance program opens for families dealing with opioid abuse. News Clara Turnage September 21, 2026. Student-athletes report need for suicide prevention, training. News Frank Corder September 21, 2026.

President Trump welcomes Mississippi's Reeves, other governors to Oval Office for Medicaid announcement. Business Cass Rutledge September 18, 2026. Industrial Timber expanding its Ripley operations with $2.6 million investment. Business Frank Corder September 15, 2026. Hitachi Energy brings largest U.S. Investment to date to Mississippi. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon. Culture Magnolia Tribune September 21, 2026. Sights from the Vaught: Ole Miss vs. LSU. Culture Pete Iacobelli, Associated Press September 21, 2026.

Taylor's four TDs rally Mississippi St. From 16-0 down to 41-34 win at South Carolina in SEC opener. Culture Chris Burrows, Associated Press September 21, 2026.

Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss notes win over Lane Kiffin and LSU 'meant more than other games'. Opinion Lesley Davis September 21, 2026. The war on women's spaces has reached the sorority house. Opinion Sid Salter September 16, 2026.

Despite plenty of statutory protections, there is no clear constitutional right to clean water. Opinion Russ Latino September 15, 2026. Sydney Sweeney Novig Ad: Body positivity's double standard.

In short, countering spiritual laziness is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.