The Sin of Doing Nothing: Consequences & Overcoming Inaction

The Sin of Doing Nothing: Understanding the Consequences of Omission

As human beings, we are often confronted with the temptation to love our lives in this world. This temptation can manifest itself not only in the bad things we do, but also in the good things we fail to do. In fact, the Bible teaches that sin is not only the commission of evil acts, but also the omission of good deeds.

As followers of Christ, we are called to not only avoid sin, but to actively pursue righteousness. However, it is easy to fall into the trap of inaction and complacency, failing to do the good that we know we ought to do. In this article, we will explore the sin of doing nothing, its consequences, and how we can overcome it.

The Sin of Doing Nothing: Omission and Commission

As mentioned earlier, sin is not only the commission of evil acts, but also the omission of good deeds. In fact, James 4:17 tells us, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." This means that failing to do something that we know we ought to do is just as much a sin as doing something we know we shouldn't do.

It is important to note that the sin of doing nothing is not merely a matter of laziness or apathy. It is a spiritual issue that stems from a heart that is not fully surrendered to God. When we fail to do the good that we know we ought to do, it is often because we are more concerned with our own comfort and convenience than with obeying God.

Moreover, the sin of doing nothing can be just as harmful as the commission of evil acts. For example, failing to speak up against injustice or failing to help those in need can have serious consequences. In Matthew 25:41-46, Jesus tells us that those who fail to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and show hospitality to strangers will be separated from him on judgment day.

The Consequences of Omission

The consequences of the sin of doing nothing can be far-reaching and devastating. When we fail to do the good that we know we ought to do, we not only miss out on the blessings that come from obedience to God, but we also hurt others.

Moreover, the sin of doing nothing can lead to a hardening of the heart. When we repeatedly ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit to do good, we become desensitized to the needs of others and our own sin. This can lead to a lack of compassion and empathy, and can ultimately hinder our spiritual growth.

Additionally, the sin of doing nothing can have a ripple effect on those around us. When we fail to do the good that we ought to do, we can cause others to stumble and fall. For example, when we fail to speak up against injustice, we are implicitly condoning it and giving others permission to do the same.

Overcoming the Sin of Doing Nothing

So how can we overcome the sin of doing nothing and live lives that are pleasing to God? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Surrender to God

The first step to overcoming the sin of doing nothing is to fully surrender our lives to God. This means giving him control over every area of our lives, including our time, talents, and resources. When we are fully surrendered to God, we are more likely to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to act on them.

2. Seek God's Will

Another important step is to seek God's will for our lives. This means spending time in prayer and studying the Bible to discern what God would have us do. When we are clear on God's will for our lives, we are more likely to be motivated to act on it.

3. Be Intentional

Overcoming the sin of doing nothing also requires intentionality. We must be intentional about seeking out opportunities to do good and to serve others. This may mean volunteering at a local charity, reaching out to a neighbor in need, or simply being more attentive to the needs of those around us.

4. Be Accountable

Finally, we must be accountable to others. This means surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage us, hold us accountable, and provide support when we fall short. When we are accountable to others, we are more likely to stay on track and to overcome the sin of doing nothing.

Conclusion

The sin of doing nothing is a serious issue that we must all confront. As followers of Christ, we are called to not only avoid sin, but to actively pursue righteousness. This means being intentional about doing the good that we know we ought to do and being accountable to others along the way.

Ultimately, we must remember that our lives are not our own. We have been bought with a price, and our lives are now to be lived for God's glory. When we live in obedience to him, we not only avoid the consequences of the sin of doing nothing, but we also experience the blessings that come from a life surrendered to him.