Laziness 02 - The Creation Mandate

When examining the root of our sin it is always useful to back to Genesis 1 - 3. The creation ordinance for mankind is as follows:

1. To be fruitful [to produce stuff, things and children].
2. To fill the earth [move away and occupy land].
3. To subdue and have dominion [to take charge over things, to lead].

As a result of the fall, man's ability to fulfil these mandates has been marred...I believe all of these things can be directly linked to the sin of laziness. Firstly lazy people don't so much produce stuff, but 'tinker' with stuff. They feel good because they appear to be doing something useful i.e. tinkering, yet really they are producing nothing. Often at this stage a person may make excuses such as they are preparing for work, however these are usually hypothetical plans and usually bear little fruit.

Secondly, lazy people tend to procrastinate and postpone things that need to be done, this can be seen in the rising number of young people who will stay at home and live either close to their parents, or with their parents. Now obviously there can be legitimate reasons for this; if a disabled or dependant parent is involved for example. However it may often be the case that a young person may try and legitimise reasons which aren't really that valid.

Thirdly, lazy people tend to abdicate responsibility and leadership, as in order to take a lead means doing stuff, proper stuff and often being very busy. There is growing culture which extends more and more the period of adolescence. Here people would rather live care free lives, travelling and partying and ironically calls such activities as 'life experience.' Kevin Deyoung usefully labels this postponement phenomena, 'adultescence.'