The Danger of an Idle Mind

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There is the statement that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop. How true is that? The Bible talks about the sin of idleness - the sin of doing nothing. The first example of the Bible happens in Numbers 32. The Reubenites thought that they could just sit down and relax. But they were however warned that the sin of idleness would find them out.
Numbers 32:23
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

The problem of the idle mind is that it's more vulnerable to temptation than a mind that's industrious. The example has to be that of David. 2 Samuel 11 shows the biggest problem. David should have been at battle instead of standing by the palace. It was the year when kings go into battle but he tarried in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 11:1-2 
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. [2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

David still tarried in Jerusalem when he should have been at war. What he did was be in Jerusalem and in the palace. He was absent from his duties! The results were not pretty. He saw a lovely woman young enough to be his daughter and committed adultery with her. David may have held Bathsheba in his arms when she was an infant. Now he was probably 49 years old. The midlife crisis had begun. David ended up falling into a series of sin because of one evening of idleness. It led to covetousness towards his neighbor's wife, stealing because he stole Bathsheba from her husband, he committed adultery with her before and after he went to bed with her, he lied to Uriah several times and it eventually led to murder. Was that one night of idleness even worth it?

In the New Testament, Jesus was already getting ready to become the sin sacrifice of the world. He was ready to drink the cup of wrath His Father ordained to Him. Soon enough, the disciples were caught sleeping.
Matthew 26:40-41 
And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? [41]Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

If I could blame anything on Peter's backsliding - it was because he was idle and not just his overconfidence. He should have been with the disciples. His idle mind left him vulnerable to temptation. It was a really dangerous time. Jesus told Peter to watch and pray. It was only when Peter got out of his idleness that led him to repent of denying his identity as a Christian.

Later, we get this advice from the Apostle Paul about redeeming the time:
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The Christian life never ends at a sinner who was admitted to a hospital for sinners. The Church doesn't stop with just being a hospital for sinners but also for their restoration. It's also a museum of the righteous saints who were once lost sinners and an army to fight the forces of the evil one. To be in the army is not a room for idleness. Instead, it's a call to be a good soldiers of Jesus Christ! Just think that Paul would later write about spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:10-17 
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The whole Christian life is a spiritual warfare. One can always have these weapons but they are useless when the mind is idle. Notice the words "and having done all, to stand" which means be alert. Satan's temptation comes when you least expect it. Know the truth and love it because it's needed to defeat the lies of the Devil starting from within. A Christian cannot defeat their problem of lying by their own flesh but only by the grace of God. The righteousness of God gives the grace to stand against idleness. The feet must be prepared to walk the talk of Christianity. One's faith can't be developed by an idle mind but only by an industrious mind. 

Here's Paul's advice to Timothy (who he regarded as a son figure in the faith probably due to the age gap) and this is also for all Christians about what the Christian life is:
2 Timothy 2:1-4 
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. [3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

The military life has never been meant to be easy. Try to see how the military itself has its members wake up very early in the morning. No choice meals and you had to eat what was given to you. You had to be precise and to be on time. Military discipline is not a walk in the park. Soldiers in war are in a life and death situation. Precision and accuracy is very important. It's not a glamorous life but a sacrifice to be in the military. That's what the Christian life is supposed to be about. To be a Christian is not to enter a rest of inactivity and idleness but a rest where one constantly has fellowship with God - in order to carry out the Christian life!

Here's some closing words about being careful not to have an idle mind:
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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