Sloth, a.k.a The Noonday Demon: A Mugshot, Rap Sheet, and Prayer for the Slothful

 

What do apathy, fear, avoidance, distraction and despair have in common? They're all aspects of sloth. With so many tricks up its sleeve, here's an attempt to put a face on Sloth, with the hopes of making it easier to detect and resist. -AF

This is a mug shot of Sloth, alias "The Noonday Demon." Sloth is one of The Seven Deadlies... one of the usual suspects.

(Image by Soffie Hicks from Wales (Sloth) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.)

 

Sloth's Rap Sheet. (Excerpt taken from the Christian Dictionary of Spirituality by Glen Scorgie)

Sloth is one of the seven "deadly sins," usually associated with acedia (weariness of the soul)... It is sometimes called the "noonday demon," referring to Psalm 91:6... More generally, early Christians associated it with deprivations of desires, failed plans, and impeded purposes, accompanied by anger. Its cousin with similar symptoms is what moderns call "depression," though there are differences... Aquinas identifies it as "an oppressive sorrow" that weighs the person down so much that he wants to do nothing. But it would be wrong to identify sloth merely with laziness. Cassian points out that it can also manifest itself as feverish activity that disguises a sluggishness of the soul. That is, it is a spiritual condition — an emptiness that encourages flight from spiritual discipline or purposeful, life-giving activity through indifference or distraction. The early monastics... urged the monk to stay away from those who were idle, restless, or busybodies (see 2 Thess. 3:6, 14–15); instead, one should meditate on what is "praiseworthy" (Phil. 4:8–9). Cassian and Gregory recommended keeping an eschatological perspective — specifically, living as if one will die tomorrow with God's final assessment of his work, but treating the body as if he will live for many years to come. In the end, the countervailing virtue to cultivate is passion in serving the Lord and others.

 

A Prayer for the Slothful. (From Common Prayer Pocket Edition by Claiborne, Okoro & Wilson-Hartgrove.)

Once again, Lord Jesus Christ, I face the power of acedia [sloth]. Against the torrent of oblivion, I plead the blood of Jesus. When the day stretches out before me and I am tempted to despair, encourage my soul through rhythms of prayer and work. When I imagine my life would be easier if only I were somewhere else, help me not to flee but to trust your grace in this place. When I lack attentive care for my neighbor, remind me how you laid down your life for me when I was still an enemy. Deliver me from acedia, that I might greet that of you in every person and know the place where I am standing to be holy ground. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Resources Referenced Above
	Dictionary of Christian Spirituality by Glen S. Scorgie "This reference work provides readers with a global, biographical, historical, topical, and biblical understanding of the origins, development, and contemporary expressions of Christian spirituality." Learn More
	Common Prayer Pocket Edition by Shane Claiborne, Enuma Okoro & Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove "Designed to help individuals, families and congregations pray, sing and act together across traditions and denominations... this portable book of common prayer [will] help you and your community join together each day with the same songs, scriptures and prayers. Learn more

 

- Adam Forrest, Zondervan

 

(This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's opinions are their own, and are shared for information purposes only. To receive new blogposts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

 

Comments

[Ann]

Insightful post! I would not have thought of slothfulness as being distracted or becoming undisciplined in my spiritual walk with Christ. Thanks for sharing this important food for thought!

[Adam]

Appreciate your feedback, Ann. As I read about sloth, I was surprised how valuable the ancient insights still are today. I think we use more tactics than we realize to avoid our God-given gifts and responsibilities -- and the umbrella idea of "sloth" has helped me take a closer look at where I can improve.

[Adam Forrest (Zondervan employee)]

A friend of mine said, "Acedia is such a pretty name for something I so badly want to kick in the teeth." :-)

-Adam