The Dangers of Lethargy

“Lethargy” is defined as “A deficiency in mental and physical alertness and activity; a lack of emotion or interest.” Lethargy is not laziness. Lethargy is a state of unresponsiveness, dullness, disinterest, impassivity, and indifference. It is dangerous to be lethargic when it is time to fight.


Consider David. David, we know, was a mighty man of valor. Even as a youth, he stood while others trembled. Yet, the Bible describes a time in David’s life when he fell prey to the influence of lethargy. Look at 2 Samuel 11:1-2:

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

It seems David allowed a spirit of lethargy to enter and permeate his thinking such that his soul was rendered immobile. Pay particular attention to verse 2. It says that David arose out of bed in the EVENING! Why was he in bed all day? We know David was hardly lazy, and there is no evidence that he was depressed at that time. But the scripture shows us that David had no fight in him. He was immobilized mentally and lethargy manifested itself physically. Though he was to be at war, it’s as if his mindset was, “whatever; so what.” It’s not laziness. It’s not depression. It’s indifference. It’s lethargy.

Operating from a spirit of lethargy is dangerous. That spirit will point you in the direction of sin! It will lure even a spiritual Superman to his Kryptonite – the area of weakness. When you find yourself saying, “What’s the use?” or “whatever,” look out! A temptation consistent with an area of weakness typically follows a lethargic believer. Once David embraced the spirit of lethargy and became indifferent about war he suddenly became so consumed with lust that he went on the rooftop right where Bathsheba could be seen. That led to an illicit affair and the death of an innocent man.  You may not succumb to a spirit of lust, but the spirit of lethargy will try to lure you to your own Kryptonite. It could be anger, overeating, uncontrolled shopping, addictive behaviors – you get the point.

Refuse to allow the enemy of your soul to disarm you with a spirit of lethargy. Keep a holy fight on the inside of you. You don’t have to pick up a machine gun or grenade. Our battle involves bringing contrary thoughts into captivity. 2 Cor. 10:4-6. Our battle involves truly believing in our hearts the Word of the Lord despite what things look like. Acts 27:25. Our battle involves opening our mouths and decreeing the Word despite what we see! Job 22:28; Romans 4:16-17; Mark 11:24. The Lord God enforces the defeat of the enemy when we cooperate with Him. Isaiah 42:13 says, “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.”

In this hour we cannot afford to be lethargic. It is time to fight!  Fight for your finances!  Fight for your dreams and visions!  Fight for your family!  Fight for your health!  Don't give in to lethargy.  Fight!


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