Is the saying 'idle hands are the Devil's workshop' biblical?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

While the saying, "idle hands are the Devil's workshop" is not found in the Bible, it is a wise one and in line with biblical truth. To be idle is to be lazy or to avoid work. Idleness is not the same as rest, which the Bible commends and which God instituted with the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). But Scripture doesn’t condone idleness, and in fact, the Bible presents work as a gift from God (Genesis 2:15; Ecclesiastes 3:13). Many of the Proverbs link idleness to poor outcomes in life (Proverbs 12:11, 13:4, 14:23, 21:5, 22:29). Other scriptures show that idleness can lead to sin (2 Samuel 11:1-2; 1 Timothy 5:13), just as the aphorism about “idle hands” indicates. All the work we do, just like anything else we do in life, should glorify God (Colossians 3:17, 3:23-24).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Work is not a punishment but a gift from God. Even before the Fall, God put Adam in the Garden of Eden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
• Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (besides Jesus), wrote, “everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:13; emphasis added).
• The book of Proverbs contains many warnings about idleness and how it can negatively impact one’s life (Proverbs 12:11, 13:4, 14:23, 19:15, 21:5, 22:29).
• Idleness is distinct from rest. God instituted the Sabbath so that His people could rest from work (Exodus 20:8-11). Idleness, as distinct from rest, is doing nothing when you should be doing something.
• People are more prone to temptation when idle. An example is David, who remained in Jerusalem while Israel’s army went to battle. David is described as being on his couch and walking on the roof when he first spies Bathsheba and starts an adulterous relationship with her (2 Samuel 11:1–2).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• God condemns idleness and commends its opposite—honest work. The apostle Paul told Thessalonian believers to “admonish the idle” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) and presented himself and his companions as examples of those who worked so they would not be a burden to others (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).
• Idleness is often accompanied by other sins, such as stealing and gossiping, and results in painful consequences, such as hunger and poverty (1 Timothy 5:13).
• Christians need not be workaholics or have no pleasure; rather, we are to live with purpose, doing all things—including rest and relaxation—for the glory of God (Colossians 3:17).
• Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the title character convinces others to take over his chore of whitewashing a fence by pretending only special people can do it right. That iconic scene has become the standard example for trying to get out of work by convincing others to do it for you instead. Though meant to be funny, the scene connects two things that the Bible also links: idleness and sin. Tom wanted to be idle and lied to achieve that.

The Bible teaches believers to be industrious and diligent. We are called to have a godly work ethic. That doesn’t necessarily mean having a paying job. It means working as unto the Lord, no matter what we do. Even in retirement, believers can do work that glorifies God. That might look like starting a Bible study or volunteering to host missionaries or even going into the mission field. While in our mortal bodies, we should never retire from serving God. Even in our rest, we can serve God and honor Him. Those who seek to be idle are not looking to worship God but self. When we work and rest in ways that glorify God, we show our love for Him and for others.

UNDERSTAND

• The saying “idle hands are the Devil’s workshop” is not found in the Scripture, but the Bible does present idleness as sin.
• Work is a gift from God.
• Rest is distinct from idleness.

REFLECT

• How do you ensure that your work brings glory to God?
• What has been your experience with idleness, in yourself or in others, and what impact has it had on you?
• How do you guard against idleness in your own life?

ENGAGE

• What makes idleness for our spiritual growth and relationship with God and others?
• What are some features of a Christian work ethic?
• How can we help others view work and rest as good and God-honoring as opposed to idleness?