Is it a sin to waste time?

friend of · Jun 22, 2017

I'm sitting here on the net, playing games and trying to figure out what to do. It feels like there's a lot of stuff I "probably should be doing" I'm just not sure what it is. I kinda feel like I'm not being productive for the Spirit. I want to do more but how?????

Does anyone feel guilty sometimes about having down time or being unproductive? I didn't used to but now after becoming Christian I think about it more.

Winken · Jun 22, 2017

Reaching out to others takes many forms. Your talk, your walk, your shared joy, meeting with other in worship, Bible study, fellowship activities such as a church supper, a softball game, online Christian chats,
comforting those who are suffering, for whatever reason, leading others to Christ by having them turn to relevant Bible passages, talking to a Pastor or Elder or Christian Counselor ----- you can really fill up your day and your week!

Rescued One · Jun 22, 2017

friend of said:
I'm sitting here on the net, playing games and trying to figure out what to do. It feels like there's a lot of stuff I "probably should be doing" I'm just not sure what it is. I kinda feel like I'm not being productive for the Spirit. I want to do more but how?????

Does anyone feel guilty sometimes about having down time or being unproductive? I didn't used to but now after becoming Christian I think about it more.

Everyone needs down time for health's sake. You should only feel guilty when you have excessive downtime.

Hidden In Him · Jun 22, 2017

friend of said:
I'm sitting here on the net, playing games and trying to figure out what to do. It feels like there's a lot of stuff I "probably should be doing" I'm just not sure what it is. I kinda feel like I'm not being productive for the Spirit. I want to do more but how?????

Does anyone feel guilty sometimes about having down time or being unproductive? I didn't used to but now after becoming Christian I think about it more.

And you'll have to get used it to, buddy. I can't STAND the feeling, and it has come upon me more times than I could possibly count since fully dedicating my life to the service of the Lord well more than twenty-five years ago. My wife can always tell when I'm going through it, i.e. when I am in limbo mode and not being specifically led of the Lord to do anything, because I start getting this really lost look on my face, and I kinda wander from room to room.

I despise not being productive, and yes, not wasting time is extremely important to true servants of God. I've read somewhere that it is the common characteristic of those who are completely dedicated to Him: They do not waste the time they are given.

But that having been said, you also have to accept that He will not always have a job for you 24/7 365. And it's a good thing when you think about it. Those who really love Him will literally work themselves to death for Him, and then they're no good to Him at all.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

When the owner of the vineyard returns, if he finds the workers doing their job, they get rewarded,
but
if the owner finds them standing around or involved in entertainment, not doing their job, he cast them out into outer darkness where the worm never dies and there is continual gnashing of teeth (pain and sorrow and endless suffering......) ....

There is a time for rest, as the owner permits....
but as scheduled, that is not a waste of time.

Tsquared · Jun 22, 2017

Phoebe Ann said:
Everyone needs down time for health's sake. You should only feel guilty when you have excessive downtime.

I have to agree, we all need some down time now and then, or we would be very stressed. Now, if you sat around all day, every day, and did absolutely nothing productive, that'd be a different story; but since you're asking this question, I'd say you're good

Pilgrim · Jun 22, 2017

friend of said:
I'm sitting here on the net, playing games and trying to figure out what to do. It feels like there's a lot of stuff I "probably should be doing" I'm just not sure what it is. I kinda feel like I'm not being productive for the Spirit. I want to do more but how?????

Does anyone feel guilty sometimes about having down time or being unproductive? I didn't used to but now after becoming Christian I think about it more.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 will lead you to the answer you seek. There's only so much time available (before Jesus' return and judgement). Let God do the heavy lifting and be thankful when He allows us to contribute.

-Luca · Jun 22, 2017

yeshuaslavejeff said:
When the owner of the vineyard returns, if he finds the workers doing their job, they get rewarded,
but
if the owner finds them standing around or involved in entertainment, not doing their job, he cast them out into outer darkness where the worm never dies and there is continual gnashing of teeth (pain and sorrow and endless suffering......) ....

There is a time for rest, as the owner permits....
but as scheduled, that is not a waste of time.

Why would God make it endless? If he loved us then he wouldn't punish us for eternity.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

-Luca said:
Why would God make it endless? If he loved us then he wouldn't punish us for eternity.

The answer is simple, and clear in Scripture.

On this forum, like most places, it is just debated and argued about "endlessly" --- real torture for anyone who just loves the TRUTH.

ByTheSpirit · Jun 22, 2017

Resting is not a sin

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

ByTheSpirit said:
Resting is not a sin

Who said it was ?

I thought the question in the op/title was about wasting time.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

YHWH gives His beloved rest.

also translated YHWH gives His beloved sleep.

YHWH knows perfectly all that goes on, and what is best, and what is needed.

ByTheSpirit · Jun 22, 2017

yeshuaslavejeff said:
Who said it was ?

I thought the question in the op/title was about wasting time.

He said he was playing a video game and browsing the Internet.. normal activities one associates with resting.

I was only making a statement that if the OP is resting that is not sin. If they are being complacent with their time then that is another matter altogether

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

ByTheSpirit said:
He said he was playing a video game and browsing the Internet.. normal activities one associates with resting.

Perhaps Pursue Possible Perplexing 'Pinions

Purposefully Prayerfully Pertinent...

Here's a bit of observation, fwiw: whenever anyone is playing a video game or browsing the internet, ....
....
....
I don't see them resting - they are either 'working'/looking for something or other/
or stressed and avoiding eye contact with their family and friends even in the same room !

Whether it is always sinful, I don't know..... but would not be surprised.....

(remember also "love not the world NOR the things OF THE WORLD" ..... because whoever
is
a
friend
of the world
.....
...
..
oy.... it's in the New Testament somewhere.... )

ByTheSpirit · Jun 22, 2017

yeshuaslavejeff said:
Perhaps Pursue Possible Perplexing 'Pinions Purposefully Prayerfully Pertinent...

Here's a bit of observation, fwiw: whenever anyone is playing a video game or browsing the internet, ....
....
....
I don't see them resting - they are either 'working'/looking for something or other/
or stressed and avoiding eye contact with their family and friends even in the same room !

Whether it is always sinful, I don't know..... but would not be surprised.....

(remember also "love not the world NOR the things OF THE WORLD" ..... because whoever
is
a
friend
of the world
.....
...
..
oy.... it's in the New Testament somewhere.... )

Yeah I am aware of what 1 John 2:15-17 says... but that is your interpretation of it. Video Games are not inherently evil, only how we manage our time with them as with anything else.

You are allowed your opinion and I am mine... we do not agree. have a good day

friend of · Jun 22, 2017

Mr. O said:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 will lead you to the answer you seek. There's only so much time available (before Jesus' return and judgement). Let God do the heavy lifting and be thankful when He allows us to contribute.

Yeah that is definitely one of my favorite verses.

When I got saved months ago I was sort of overcome with like...panic. A panic that I hadn't been doing much of anything for the Lord for so long and I feel this urgency and need to do so much for Him and in the end I sort of burnt myself out trying to find things to do for others.

Then I got studying more and fell into the whole "by faith not works thing" so then I was freaking out about how I wasn't saved because I was relying on works to save me.

Then my concept of good works shifted from "doing nice things" and "being a good person" to "OH I HAVE TO EVANGELIZE EVERYONE I MEET AND DO EVERYTHING AND IF THEY DON'T COME TO CHRIST IT'S MY FAULT AND I'M RESPONSIBLE" because doing nice things and being a "good person" is meaningless if you don't tell them about Jesus

then I eventually chilled out and realized that it's not up to me to save people and that God will find a way to help people as He knows who will be receptive to Him and who will not be, and this is knowledge which no human being possesses. So instead of worrying about being a bad, lazy Christian I just sort or mellowed out and realized my position as a seed sower for now, and that Christ is really enough.

Not sure why I'm so anxious about it, I guess it's a combination of desire to serve and desire to guide others.

friend of · Jun 22, 2017

yeshuaslavejeff said:
(remember also "love not the world NOR the things OF THE WORLD" ..... because whoever
is
a
friend
of the world

It's the second day of Summer and I'm about to go to the beach in a while and now I'm afraid I might enjoy it.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

ByTheSpirit said:
Video Games are not inherently evil, only how we manage our time with them as with anything else.

By definition they are "of the world", so it is not a matter of interpretation. Sorry.

ByTheSpirit · Jun 22, 2017

yeshuaslavejeff said:
By definition they are "of the world", so it is not a matter of interpretation. Sorry.

I was unaware that you alone have the perfect interpretation of what scriptures mean in every instance. Must be a CF thing that I have not be made partaker of yet. Again I say to you have a good day

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 22, 2017

ByTheSpirit said:
I was unaware that you alone have the perfect interpretation

English, man, I posted in english - it is by definition.

Has nothing to do with interpretation.

Is it a sin to waste time?

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