You and I don't want to drift spiritually.. unless it's closer to God and His church. God warns us of two dangers that often pull people away from God:
- Being too busy for Jesus, distracted, worldly, or self-occupied to seek God.
- Being idle, lazy, undisciplined, meddlesome, or undisciplined, which leads to sin.. away from Jesus.
No one in Scripture is described as "too busy" with exactly those terms, but it could happen.
Jesus invites.. commands (with your best interests at heart): "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matt. 11:28-29
Invitation To All Who Are Weary And Burdened (Meditate upon Matt. 11:25–30)
At the time Jesus said those words above, it was a crucial moment during His ministry. The rebellion against the King had already set in and will soon culminate in open rejection. Christ turns to His Father and gives thanks! What an example for us when we come to times of difficulty.
The Father’s will should always govern our lives. God bypassed the wise and prudent scribes and Pharisees and chose the simple but believing common people for salvation (see 1 Cor. 1). We cannot explain the mystery of the Father’s will, but we can adore and obey Him. Christ’s invitation here is for all to come to Him. It is no longer a message limited to the Jews, as it was in 10:5–6. Christ now opens the door to all who will come and believe and take His yoke.
The Pharisees had laid many burdens on the people (Matt. 23:4), and their religion did not give rest and peace. No human religion can give peace to the heart. Christ offers a yoke that is easy in contrast to the grinding, binding yoke of the law (Acts 15:10). Note the double use of the word “rest” (NKJV). “I will give you rest”—this is the peace with God that comes with salvation. “You will find rest”—this is the peace of God that comes with surrender (see Phil. 4:6–9). To be yoked to Christ is the greatest blessing possible. (See part 1 on this) His yoke of Lordship is lined in love.
See John 15:5:
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."
God wants faithfulness and fruitfulness from our lives. We are to abide in Him, rather than strive (in the flesh) for Him. The Bible's pattern is not idleness, and it is not restless activity. It is abiding first, then serving; worship first, then work; communion first, then ministry. When the roots go down deep into Christ, the fruit naturally follows.
What People Got Too Busy, Too Distracted, or Too Preoccupied (like With Dead Religion) To Simply Seek the Lord And His Will?
Old Testament
Cain
- Genesis 4
- Concerned with himself rather than repentance.
- Brought an unacceptable sacrifice and became angry instead of seeking God.
The Generation Before the Flood
- Genesis 6–7
- Jesus says they were "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" until judgment came (Matthew 24:37-39).
- Ordinary life became their entire focus.
The Builders of Babel
- Genesis 11
- Busy making a name for themselves rather than glorifying God.
Pharaoh
- Exodus 5–14
- Hardened by pride and kingdom concerns.
- Repeatedly resisted God's commands.
Israel in the Wilderness
- Exodus 32
- Became impatient waiting for God and turned to the golden calf.
Eli's Sons, Hophni and Phinehas
- 1 Samuel 2
- Occupied with selfish pleasures instead of honoring God.
King Saul
- 1 Samuel 13, 15
- More concerned about appearances and keeping people happy than obeying God.
Solomon
- 1 Kings 11
- Wealth, wives, and political alliances drew his heart away from wholehearted devotion.
The Rich Young Ruler
- Matthew 19:16-22
- Wealth became more important than following Jesus.
The Guests Invited to the Great Banquet
- Luke 14:16-24
- One had a field, another oxen, another family obligations.
- Good things became excuses for rejecting God's invitation.
II. People Too Busy Serving and Missing Fellowship with Jesus
Martha
Luke 10:38-42
"Martha was distracted with much serving."
She loved Jesus and served Him, but became anxious and frustrated.
Jesus said:
"Mary has chosen the good part."
Mary of Bethany
- Luke 10:39
- John 12:1-8
- Sat at Jesus' feet.
- Worship and communion came before activity.
The Apostles Before Delegating Responsibilities
Acts 6:1-4
Practical needs were overwhelming them.
They wisely said:
"We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Even ministry can crowd out prayer if priorities are misplaced.
III. People Too Busy with the World to Believe in Christ
Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19
Pharisees
Matthew 23
- Busy with religion.
- Neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Herod Antipas
Luke 23
- Curious about Jesus but never repented.
Felix
Acts 24:25
"Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you."
Convenience postponed repentance.
Demas
2 Timothy 4:10
"Having loved this present world."
Worldliness pulled him away.
IV. People Who Became Idle and Fell into Sin
David
2 Samuel 11
"At the time when kings go out to battle…"
David stayed home and committed adultery with Bathsheba.
One of Scripture's clearest examples of spiritual danger during inactivity.
Sodom
Ezekiel 16:49
"Pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease."
Abundance and idleness contributed to wickedness.
Samson
Judges 13–16
- Careless and indulgent.
- Pursued selfish desires and neglected his calling.
The Sluggard
Proverbs repeatedly warned about:
- Laziness (6:6-11)
- Excuses (22:13)
- Excessive sleep (24:30-34)
- Poverty and ruin.
Idle Widows
1 Timothy 5:13
Paul warns:
"They learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies."
Thessalonian Busy Bodies
2 Thessalonians 3:11
"Some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies."
V. Busybodies and Meddlers
Old Testament Examples
Absalom
2 Samuel 15
- Interfered with people's grievances.
- Stole hearts away from David.
Korah
Numbers 16
- Meddled in God-appointed leadership.
Doeg the Edomite
1 Samuel 22
- Used information destructively.
New Testament Examples
Idle Widows
1 Timothy 5:13
Disorderly Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 3:11
Peter's Warning
1 Peter 4:15
"Let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or as a meddler."
VI. Positive Examples of Those Who Prioritized God
Mary of Bethany
Luke 10:39-42
Sat at Jesus' feet.
David
Psalm 27:4
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek…"
Daniel
Daniel 6:10
Maintained prayer even under threat of death.
Anna
Luke 2:36-38
Served God with fasting and prayer.
Jesus Himself
Mark 1:35
"In the early morning… He went away to a secluded place, and was praying."
Luke 5:16
"Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."
Despite constant ministry, Jesus repeatedly withdrew to commune with His Father.
The Twelve Apostles
Acts 6:4
"We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Paul
Philippians 3:8
Counted everything loss compared with knowing Christ.
VII. Major Biblical Principle
Activity itself is not spirituality.
Martha's problem was not serving. Jesus loved Martha (John 11:5). The issue was being:
- Distracted.
- Anxious.
- Frustrated.
- Occupied with many things.
Mary chose the "one thing necessary" (Luke 10:42). To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Likewise, idleness is dangerous. Scripture condemns both extremes:
Busyness without communion.
And
Idleness without purpose.
The balanced Christian life is seen in Jesus:
- Work diligently.
- Serve lovingly.
- Rest appropriately.
- Pray continually.
- Sit often at His feet.
- Bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
If Mr. Lu-Cifer (Satan) with his creepy thugs cannot lure you to take a stride from your Master's side, if he can make you really evil back in the worldsystem (he's the prince of the power of the air), then he will try to spur you on to become too busy for time with Jesus each day. @kurtwVs
That exact quote is not found in Scripture, but its principle harmonizes with biblical warnings against distraction (Luke 8:14), worldly cares (Mark 4:19), and neglecting the better portion (Luke 10:41-42). Ultimately, Satan would be content either to lure believers into sin or simply to crowd out their fellowship with Christ. Jesus calls His disciples not merely to do things for Him, but first to abide in Him (John 15:4-5).
Too Busy for Jesus. Too Idle for Holiness.
J.C. Ryle wisely observed:
"Every person is either led by the Spirit of God or by the desires of the flesh. Your life will prove what leads you."
The Bible reveals two spiritual ditches on either side of the narrow road.
One ditch is idleness.
The other is busyness without communion with God.
Both can quietly rob a believer of usefulness, joy, fruitfulness, and intimacy with Christ.
When We Become Too Idle
Scripture repeatedly warns that idleness is never spiritually neutral. An empty schedule often becomes an open invitation to temptation.
Those in the world love to meditate upon nothingness. A mind long idle is said to be the enemy's playground. The Living Bible paraphrases Proverbs 16:27:
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece."
While that phrase is not a direct biblical quotation, the principle is thoroughly biblical.
Paul warned:
"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies" (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
Likewise:
"They learn to be idle, going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to" (1 Timothy 5:13).
When people cease pursuing God's purposes, they often begin meddling in other people's affairs.
An idle heart rarely stays empty for long. If it is not occupied with Christ, it will soon be occupied with self.
Biblical Examples of Idleness Leading to Sin
David remained in Jerusalem "at the time when kings go out to battle" (2 Samuel 11:1). His spiritual drift led to adultery, deception, and tragedy.
The men of Sodom were marked by "prosperous ease" and self-indulgence (Ezekiel 16:49).
The sluggard of Proverbs loved sleep more than diligence and reaped poverty, regret, and waste (Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34).
The idle widows of Ephesus became gossips and busybodies rather than servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:13).
The lesson is unmistakable: when godly purpose disappears, sinful distractions rush in.
As an old proverb says:
"The devil finds work for idle hands."
Jerome, writing in the fourth century, echoed this truth:
"Engage in some occupation, so that the devil may always find you busy."
Not busy with noise.
Not busy with self.
Busy with what honors God.
When We Become Too Busy
Yet there is another danger.
A person can become so occupied doing things for Jesus that he no longer spends time with Jesus.
This was Martha's struggle.
Luke tells us:
"Martha was distracted with much serving" (Luke 10:40).
Notice that Martha was not distracted by sin.
She was distracted by service.
She loved Christ.
She welcomed Christ.
She served Christ.
Yet she became anxious, frustrated, irritated, and spiritually distracted.
Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat quietly at the Lord's feet, listening to His words.
Jesus gently told Martha:
"You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part" (Luke 10:41-42).
Martha's problem was not work.
Her problem was that work had crowded out worship.
Activity had eclipsed intimacy.
Service had replaced sitting.
Many believers today suffer from the same condition.
We rush from responsibility to responsibility.
We answer messages.
We solve problems.
We serve at church.
We attend meetings.
We stay productive.
Yet our Bibles remain unopened.
Our prayer life grows shallow.
Our hearts become hurried.
Our souls become dry.
We are active for Christ but not abiding in Christ.
Jesus: The Perfect Balance
Jesus never lived in either extreme.
He was never lazy.
He was never frantic.
No one accomplished more than Jesus, yet no one spent more time alone with His Father.
"Very early in the morning... Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there" (Mark 1:35).
Crowds wanted Him.
Needs surrounded Him.
Opportunities multiplied before Him.
Still, He regularly withdrew to pray.
Jesus teaches us that communion with the Father is not an interruption to ministry. It is the source of ministry.
The Great Need Today
Modern culture celebrates busyness.
Yet many Christians are spiritually exhausted, distracted, and unfocused.
Recent surveys conducted by the organization Barna Group have repeatedly found that many professing Christians struggle with consistent Bible reading, prayer, and spiritual disciplines. The problem is often not hostility toward God but distraction from God.
The enemy does not always tempt believers toward scandalous sins.
Sometimes he merely fills life with so much noise that believers neglect the one thing that matters most.
As the hymn writer expressed:
"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love."
And another beloved hymn reminds us:
"Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with thy Lord."
A Call to Balance
The answer is not idleness.
The answer is not frantic busyness.
The answer is Spirit-filled diligence.
Work hard.
Serve faithfully.
Love people.
Step by step, in step following Christ.. fulfill your responsibilities.
Labor in God's harvest field.
Never allow your service for Christ to replace your fellowship with Christ.
Do not be like the sluggard who wastes his days.
Do not be like Martha during that time when she became distracted by many things.
Be like Mary instead, who chose the better portion.
Be like Daniel, who made time to pray.
Be like Paul, who disciplined his life for God's glory.
Above all, be like Jesus.
The Christian life is not merely about staying busy as many like to do.
It is about staying close to Him, instead of being too busy for Him.
For the greatest danger is not that we become tired from serving Christ.
The greatest danger is that we become so distracted, whether by idleness or activity, that we stop sitting at His feet.
The fruitful believer is neither lazy nor frantic.
He is occupied with Christ.
And when Christ has first place, both our work and our worship find their proper place.
May I say it again? The average American will spend 30-40 years consuming media and entertainment. No condemnation, but is this the best use of time?
Man, think about all that.
In a life that may only last 70-80 years:
About 15 years will be spent in front of a TV.
Another 6 years scrolling through social media like on your phone.
Yes, we check our smartphones 96 times a day on average.
That's not just a time issue. It's a priority issue. See Matt. 6:33
Jesus said, "Occupy till I come." He did not say, "Scroll a screen until you're bored out of your gourd -- til I come." Nope!
What does that mean - “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13 kjv)?
Be all about knowing the Lord first (early, seeking first His Kingdom and righteousness), and then about making Him known. Be about fulfilling your calling in the Lord (by faith, by His empowering).
The return of Christ is always presented in Scripture as a great motivation to action, not as a reason to cease from action. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wraps up his teaching on the rapture by saying, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul concludes a lesson on Christ’s coming with these words: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” To retreat and “hold the fort” was never Jesus’ intention for us. Instead, we work while we can. “Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).
The apostles lived and served with the idea that Jesus could return within their lifetime; what if they had ceased from their labors and just “waited”? They would have been in disobedience to Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15), and the gospel would not have been spread. The apostles understood that Jesus’ imminent return meant they must busy themselves with God’s work. They lived life to the fullest, as if every day were their last. We, too, should view every day as a gift and use it to glorify God.
Who are your close friends, and their closest friends? How we spend our days and with whom shapes how we spend our lives.
More here-
In spite of what goes on in the corrupt World system around us, Believer, biblical faith, hope, and love simply ain't going away:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Paul penned something interesting and unexpected - he used a singular verb for a compound (and therefore plural) subject. Check out the context of 1 Corinthians 13:13 - it could literally be rendered “faith, hope, and love remains.” sup with that?
Well, Paul’s point is that, essentially, faith, hope, and love are united and stay united through eternity. Yep, what happens to one happens to all. And what happens is that they “remain.” What's not to love about upbeat candor and warm-hearted convivial community!? You and I want what's decent, genuinely good, honest and wholesome to go on and on and on with us there right?
Kurt, what encourages believers to get away for a quiet time of solitude alone with Jesus in prayer and in reading the Bible to hear His voice?
Jesus Christ (our primary example) would get away from the crowds and from his disciples to be with His Father alone.
Mark 1:35
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there."
Before the demands of ministry began, Jesus sought His Father.
Luke 5:16
"But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."
Not occasionally. Often.
Luke 6:12
"He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God."
Matthew 14:23
"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray."
If the sinless Son of God needed regular private communion with His Father, how much more do we?
Private Prayer And All Through The Day.. Is A Priority. Pray Without Ceasing!
Matthew 6:6
"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."
Jesus emphasizes private, personal fellowship alone with God and all through the day.
The One Thing Necessary
Mary of Bethany and Martha of Bethany
Luke 10:39-42
"Mary was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word."
Jesus said:
"Mary has chosen the good part."
Notice that Mary was not merely praying. She was listening to Christ's words.
A biblical quiet time includes both speaking to God and hearing from God through Scripture.
Delighting in God's Word Daily
Psalm 1:1-3
"His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night."
The blessed man is characterized by continual meditation on God's Word.
Joshua 1:8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night."
See Psalm 1, and 119:15
"I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways."
Psalm 119:97
"Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."
Seeking God Early
David
Psalm 5:3
"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice."
Psalm 63:1
"O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly."
Psalm 27:4
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek."
David's heart was not merely to know about God but to be with God.
Be Still Before the Lord
Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Stillness creates room for worship, reflection, and trust.
Lamentations 3:25-26
"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him."
Prayerful Meditation on God's Truth
Psalm 143:5
"I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands."
Psalm 77:12
"I will meditate on all Your work."
Biblical meditation is not emptying the mind but filling it with God's truth.
God's Word Dwelling Richly Within Us
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable..."
God via His Scripture equips born again believers for every good work here.
Abiding in Christ
John 15:4-5
"Abide in Me, and I in you."
Fruitfulness comes from communion, not mere activity.
John 15:7
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you..."
Notice the connection between fellowship and God's Word.
Praying Continually
1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing."
A daily quiet time is not the end goal. It is the launching point for a day of continual fellowship with God.
Examples of Believers Who Had Regular Times with God
Daniel
Daniel 6:10
"He continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God."
Isaac
Genesis 24:63
"Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening."
Anna
Luke 2:37
"Serving night and day with fastings and prayers."
Here's a Quiet Time Pattern:
- Open God's Word (Psalm 119:18).
- Read thoughtfully (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Meditate on what God says (Joshua 1:8).
- Pray in response (Matthew 6:6).
- Apply what you learned (James 1:22).
- Abide in Christ throughout the day (John 15:4-5).
"When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I shall seek.'" Psalm 27:8
This quiet time thang ain't about checking off a religious duty list to earn some brownie points with God. It is responding to God's invitation for closeness, to seek His face instead of His hand, to hear His voice through Scripture, and to simply enjoy fellowship with Him.
Like Mary in Luke 10 enjoyed Him, there are many important things in life, but there is ultimately "one thing necessary"—sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His Word.
I just love Christian hymnody about right priorities!
"Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting"
by Jean Sophia Pigott
This hymn is almost a meditation on Matthew 11:28–29:
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Later, she writes:
Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
The hymn captures the paradox Jesus taught: true rest is not found in doing less but in drawing nearer to Him.
"Come Unto Me"
by Frances Ridley Havergal
Built directly from Christ's invitation:
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast."
And the response:
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.
Many Christians consider this one of the finest poetic expressions of Matthew 11.
"Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"
by Will L. Thompson
Though written as an evangelistic hymn, it echoes Christ's invitation:
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He's waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
The heart of the hymn is Christ inviting weary sinners home.
George Herbert — "The Call"
A beloved devotional poem:
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way as gives us breath:
Such a Truth as ends all strife:
Such a Life as killeth death.
Herbert repeatedly portrays Christ as the answer to the soul's deepest weariness.
A. W. Tozer on Rest
A short but powerful reflection:
"The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."
That is essentially the promise of Matthew 11:28–29. Rest is not found primarily in a change of circumstances but in the presence of Christ Himself.
Augustine of Hippo
Perhaps the most famous line ever written on spiritual rest:
"You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You."
Though written centuries before English hymnody flourished, this sentence beautifully summarizes Jesus' invitation.
Horatius Bonar
From his hymn "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say":
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast."
Bonar understood that Christianity is not merely a call to duty but first a call to Christ.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon preached often on Matthew 11:28:
"Your load will not be removed by looking at it. Your burden will not grow lighter by merely studying it. But Jesus Christ can take it from you."
And:
"A weary soul can find rest nowhere else but in Christ."
A Fresh Poetic Reflection on Matthew 11:28–29
Come, weary traveler,
The road is longer than you imagined,
And the burden heavier than you admit.
The world promised rest,
Yet left you exhausted.
It offered water,
Yet your soul remains thirsty.
Then Christ speaks:
"Come to Me."
Not merely to a doctrine,
Not merely to a church,
Not merely to a better life,
But to Me.
Bring your fears,
Your failures,
Your unanswered questions,
Your hidden griefs.
Bring the weight you were never meant to carry.
At His feet,
The burden becomes lighter.
In His Word,
The mind becomes quieter.
In His presence,
The heart finds home.
For the deepest rest is not found in a place,
But in a Person.
And His name is Jesus.
One of the most moving hymn lines ever written that captures Matthew 11:28–29 is simply:
"I came to Jesus as I was,
weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
and He has made me glad."
Can you think of some others in the Bible or in life today who have become too idle and then started sinning - perhaps it was about laziness or selfishness or distractions?
If the devil cannot pull you back into pet sins, addictions, the works of your fleshly nature (your old life in sin), Christian, then he will push you to become too busy in even serving the Lord to spend time alone with the Lord, and that too is sin to repent of.
What does it mean that Satan is prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)?
You want the fruit of the Spirit in your life, and very evident in your life for fruit inspectors to see. Can you think of some people who got too busy serving the Lord, or became busybodies? And we're not mining their own business so they claim to be Believers. Create a list ..Find stories in the Bible where someone was too busy to spend time with Jesus because they were serving too much (Like Martha did who was very frustrated with her sister.Mart) or where they were sitting at the feet of Jesus, spending time with him like Mary did. KnowGod.org
