What the Bible says about Passive Disobedience
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Proverbs 24:30-34 Many proverbs refer to the deleterious effects of neglect or passivity involving the sluggard as both the perpetrator and recipient of ruin and waste. It is a perennial theme throughout the wisdom literature of the Bible: » Proverbs 15:19: The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway. » Proverbs 12:27: The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man's precious possession. » Ecclesiastes 10:18: Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. In each of these examples, destruction, decay, or corruption are shown to be the cumulative effects of neglect. A modest coat of paint will protect metal and wood surfaces from rust, rot, and the ravages of weather. However, doing nothing will cause structures to decay incrementally, looking as though terrorists had intended to destroy them. Who needs bombs and explosives when the same effect can be accomplished by doing absolutely nothing? David F. Maas Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist? Related Topics: Decay | Deleterious Effects of Neglect | Deleterious Effects of Passivity | Destruction | Evil, Passive | Idleness | Idleness, Habit of | Laziness | Lazy | Neglect | Passive Disobedience | Passive Terrorism | Sluggard | Sluggard as Perpetrator of Ruin | Spiritual Terrorists | Terrorists, Spiritual | Waste

Matthew 25:16-18 Since the servants did not know how long their master would be gone, they began trading without delay. The one with five talents increased his by 100%, as did the servant with two talents. In each case, their original assets were doubled. If the servant with one talent had just worked by trading with it, his reward would have been the same. The motivation for service and producing good fruit should be love for the Master, a virtue the servant with one talent lacked. Sadly, he failed to trade with his talent and multiply it. Fearing his master's severity, he wrapped his lord's asset in a handkerchief and hid it in a hole in the earth. Fear is a sad thing when a person dreads losing something valuable so much that he hoards it instead of putting it to good use. So it is with a spiritual gift also. While his fellow-servants were actively trading their talents, the third servant was idle. He was neither actively obedient nor disobedient, but passively disobedient. He did not intend to hurt his master's property; he simply failed to improve it. Similar to the foolish virgins suffering because they neglected to prepare, the third servant in this parable suffers because he did nothing with his talent. We must not hide our light under a basket (Matthew 5:14-16). Spiritual talents must be used in service to Christ for the glory of God - for the joy and honor of Him who is the Giver of every good gift (I Corinthians 10:31; James 1:17). Martin G. Collins Parable of the Talents (Part Two) Related Topics: Disobedience, Passive | Fear | Fearfulness | Motivation for Service | Parable of the Talents | Passive Disobedience | Spiritual Gifts | Spiritual Gifts, Neglect of | Spiritual Neglect | Spiritual Productivity | Spiritual Timidity | Stewardship | Stewardship of Talents

 

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