The old adage “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is a common phrase in modern culture that essentially means if you don’t have anything productive to do, you’re more likely to get into trouble. While this exact wording does not appear verbatim in the Bible, there are several passages that convey a similar sentiment. In this in-depth article, we will explore what the Bible does – and does not – say about the dangers of idleness and the value of keeping occupied.
The Bible warns against laziness and slothfulness
One of the closest biblical concepts to “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is the sin of laziness or slothfulness. There are multiple passages, particularly in the wisdom literature, that warn against the dangers of an idle lifestyle:
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11, ESV)
This well-known proverb points to the ant as a model of hard work and warns that laziness leads to poverty and want. The sluggard is rebuked for excessive sleep and idle time, and exhorted to “go to the ant” to learn a better way.
Another stinging indictment of laziness is found in Proverbs:
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. (Proverbs 13:4, ESV)
This verse draws a direct contrast between the sluggard who “craves and gets nothing” and the diligent person who is “richly supplied.” The implication is that idleness and laziness lead to poverty and lack.
The book of Proverbs has multiple references to the concept of slothfulness and laziness, consistently portraying them in a negative light and juxtaposing them against hard work, diligence and wisdom (see also Proverbs 15:19, 19:15, 20:4, 21:25, 24:30-34).
Ecclesiastes likewise contains stern warnings against idleness:
Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep…Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. (Ecclesiastes 5:12, 10:10, ESV)
The Preacher argues that sleep is much “sweeter” after an honest day’s work, emphasizing the value of labor. He also commands his readers to work diligently during their lives since no opportunity for work will remain after death.
While not explicitly mentioning “the devil,” these verses strongly parallel the spirit of the “idle hands” maxim by presenting laziness and a lack of work as severely problematic. According to the wisdom literature, idle and slothful living inevitably lead to lack and poverty.
Paul instructs Christians to work diligently
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul provides similar exhortations about the importance of working diligently:
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, ESV)
Here, Paul is adamant that unwillingness to work should result in going hungry, emphasizing the importance of laboring for one’s sustenance. He calls out idleness in the Thessalonian church and commands the idle brothers to return to work. The implication is that idleness often leads to other sins like gossip, and the solution he offers is diligent, quiet work.
Similarly, Paul offers instructions to the church in Ephesus:
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:28, ESV)
Instead of stealing, Paul urges the thief to do “honest work” and labor so he can actually help those in need. The remedy for wrongdoing is framed as diligent work and labor.
While not stated explicitly, the strong undertones in these passages associate idleness with the potential for sin, mirroring the maxim about “idle hands.” For Paul, diligent work and “keeping busy” through labor are presented as antidotes for the sins that can arise from idleness.
Idleness can lead to trouble in biblical narratives
Beyond direct exhortations, some biblical narratives demonstrate how idle time leads to trouble. For example:
David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, when he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. (2 Samuel 11:2, ESV)
This verse describes how David’s idleness and wandering atop his palace led to lusting after Bathsheba, eventually resulting in adultery and scandal (2 Samuel 11-12). His unoccupied time and lack of diligent work contributed to David’s devastating descent into sin.
Similarly, the following passage associates idleness with drunkenness and gluttony:
‘This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.’
(Ezekiel 16:49-50, ESV)
Sodom was condemned not only for sexual sin but also for abundant food, idle ease, and failure to help the needy. Once again, “prosperous ease” and the absence of diligent work were linked to the city’s degeneration into wickedness.
While no biblical text directly states “idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” the overall thrust of the Bible connects idleness, sloth and lack of labor to moral decline, poverty, and sin. The biblical solution to avoid these traps is usually framed as diligent, honest work and keeping occupied with purposeful tasks and labor.
Balance through Sabbath rest
Importantly, the Bible also stresses balance through adequate rest. The fourth commandment establishes a weekly Sabbath day for regenerative rest, worship and refraining from work (Exodus 20:8-11, ESV). Deuteronomy 5:14 explains that this allows one’s servants, employees, livestock, and foreigners living among God’s people to also rest and be renewed.
Thus, the Bible presents diligent work and rest as complementary disciplines essential for human flourishing. Just as idleness can be problematic, constant work without Sabbath leads to burnout. Rhythms of work and rest keep idleness at bay but allow bodies, minds and spirits to recharge.
The biblical view values diligent work
In summary, while the exact phrase “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” does not originate in the Bible, biblical authors clearly warn against the dangers of laziness, slothfulness, and lack of diligent work, which can lead to poverty and sin. At the same time, balance through Sabbath rest provides an important safeguard against overwork. God’s ideal is diligent, faithful work supplemented by rhythms of regenerative rest.