Though “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is never expressly stated in Scripture, it is interesting to note that immediately after addressing the sluggard’s need to go to the ant to learn initiative, self-discipline, and industriousness and thus avoid economic ruin (Proverbs 6:6-11), Solomon immediately describes a spiritually bankrupt person (Proverbs 6:12ff). The trip from being a lazy, sleeping-loving sluggard to a worthless wicked human being who does things that the Lord abominates (Proverbs 6:16-19) is a short one.
Seven telltale traits of a spiritually bankrupt individual are given in Proverbs 6:12-14. These are:
- A perverse mouth (v. 12).
- Eyes that purposefully and intentionally wink (v. 13).
- Feet that shuffle to communicate covertly (v. 13).
- Fingers which point to deflect suspicion and/or to communicate evil desires/intentions to others (v. 13).
- A heart which contains a perverse value system that considers evil good and good evil (v. 14).
- A busy mind that devises evil continually (v. 14).
- Deliberate words and actions which sow animosity and discord (v. 14).
Such a spiritual pauper faces certain calamity and eternal condemnation from the Lord who hates and abominates such evil (Proverbs 6:15ff).
