Sermon Central
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The Idols That Make Us Idle
Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 20, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: It is not unusual to hear a teenager or adults these days say, I AM BORED!!! The word “Bored” originates from the verb “bore”, which means to pierce or drill. The term has evolved over time to describe a feeling of emptiness or lack of interest, often associated with a dull life.
God did not put us here to live a life of boredom!!!
The Word of God tells us Eccl.9:10, Whatsoever Thy Hands Findeth to do, do it with all thy might.
Reading that verse of scripture does not describe a life of boredom.
Illus: Isaac Watts said: Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. Or as we heard in the past: Idle hands are a devil’s workshop.
People that are bored are people who have too much time on their hands. And Satan knows these are the people he is looking for to do some evil.
There is too much that needs to be done and no matter how old you are when you die, YOU WILL NOT GET IT ALL DONE!!!
• The song writer will still have one more song to be written.
• The preacher will still have one more sermon to prepare and preach.
• The carpenter will always have more houses to build.
• The mechanic will always have one more cars that need to be prepared.
The Word of God teaches us, WHATSOEVER THY HAND FIND TO DO, DO IT WITH ALL THY MIGHT.
Illus: We have many preachers and Sunday school teachers using the phrase, “I WILL JUST Wing it and see what happen!
The phrase “wing it” means to perform or proceed with something without preparation or a plan.
God’s Word is too important to have such people in charge of God’s Work. God’s work SHOULD BE DONE WITH ALL OUR MIGHT!!!
Illus: Today one of the reasons that our boys and girls know so little of the Bible is that Sunday school has become PLAY TIME.
God’s church is in desperate need for teachers that are dedicated to the teaching of God’s Word.
Have we forgotten SUNDAY SCHOOL is that time we teach boys and girls on their age level the WORD OF GOD?
Sometimes, the ones who can teach us the most about life are those who have been around the longest.
This age in which we live has become so different from past ages when the old generation knew the value of teaching boys and girls the WORD OF GOD!
Illus: Look what some of these older folks who have been around a long time have learned:
• ONE SAID: I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that you can keep going a long time after you thought you could not keep going.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
• ONE SAID: I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
The Word of God teaches us, WHATSOEVER YOU DO, DO IT WITH ALL THY MIGHT!!!
But one thing that very few people have learned is, HOW TO OVERCOME BOREDOM IN LIFE!
Illus: Boredom is a major problem in the life of the believer and un-believer:
• This is why many are unfaithful to their marriage vows
• This is why many go from job to job
• This is why many go from marriage to marriage
• This is why many go from church to church
• This is why our jails are filled.
• This is why many have a drinking problem
• This is why many are having psychiatrist problems.
Why?
They are BORED WITH LIFE!
Let’s look at two things that will help us with this problem of boredom.
Look at -
I. THE CAUSE OF BOREDOM
There are two primary causes of boredom.
A. THERE IS THE OVER-ABUNDANCE of THINGS!
In America we live in a society that is blessed with an OVER-ABUNDANCE of things!
While these things are a blessing it has also become a curse to our nation spiritually.
We have TV, radio, music, movies, telephones, Internet, and video games.
We have an abundance of things to occupy our time.
However, only God knows the harm these things have done to our nation spiritually.
While we consider these things to be good, it would amaze you how much better life would be without them.
For example…
According to the Center for Media Education:
• Most children watch three to four hours of TV a day: approximately 28 hours per week. That is 28 hours a week for people in Hollywood, the scum of the earth deciding what your children should be watching.