While a good night’s sleep is essential, too much sleep can leave us feeling groggy and out of sync. Understanding the balance between rest and activity is key to maintaining your health, both physically and mentally. Is there such a thing as sleeping too much?
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What Does The Bible Say About sleeping too much
Proverbs 6:9-10
“How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest.”
This verse emphasizes the danger of excessive sleep and laziness. It urges us to avoid being sluggards, who waste their time in idle rest. Instead, we are encouraged to be diligent and productive.
Proverbs 20:13
“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.”
This verse warns against loving sleep too much, as it can lead to poverty. It encourages staying awake and being diligent in order to have an abundance of provisions.
Proverbs 24:33-34
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
Similar to the previous verses, this emphasizes the negative consequences of excessive sleep and laziness. It warns that poverty and scarcity can sneak up on us if we continually indulge in idle rest.
Matthew 26:43
“When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.”
In this verse, Jesus found his disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane. It serves as a reminder that even the most devoted followers can succumb to the weakness of physical tiredness and the desire for excessive sleep.
Ephesians 5:14
“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’
This verse encourages believers to wake up from spiritual slumber and embrace the light of Christ. It reminds us not to let lethargy and excessive sleep hinder our spiritual growth and vitality.
Proverbs 19:15
“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.”
Here, we are reminded that laziness can lead to a deep sleep, symbolizing a lack of productivity and motivation. It also highlights the consequences of idleness, as the shiftless (those who avoid work) may go hungry.
Proverbs 26:14
“As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.”
This verse depicts the behavior of a sluggard, who continuously turns on his bed with no intention of getting up. It portrays the cycle of laziness and excessive sleep that can trap individuals in unproductivity.
Psalm 127:2
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
This verse reminds us that God provides restful sleep to those whom He loves. It suggests that while hard work is important, we should not strive excessively, thinking that our achievements are solely dependent on our own efforts.
Proverbs 23:21
“for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
Although this verse does not directly mention sleep, it sheds light on the relationship between indulgence and poverty. Just as excessive eating and drinking can lead to destitution, drowsiness and laziness can also bring about a similar outcome.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
This verse reminds us that God’s timing is purposeful and patient. While excessive sleep may have negative consequences, God’s patience allows us the time to repent and turn to Him, without rushing or despairing.
Proverbs 10:5
“Whoever gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but whoever sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”
This verse highlights the importance of diligence and seizing opportunities. Just as a wise son works diligently during harvest, sleeping excessively during fruitful seasons is seen as disgraceful and unwise.
Proverbs 13:4
“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
Here, the contrast is drawn between the sluggard and the diligent. While the sluggard’s desire for more sleep and laziness remains insatiable, the diligent find fulfillment and satisfaction in their efforts and achievements.
Proverbs 15:19
“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.”
This verse depicts the consequences of laziness and excessive sleep. The way of the sluggard is obstructed by challenges and difficulties, while the path of the upright, who are diligent, is smooth and unhindered.
Proverbs 26:15
“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.”
This humorous image portrays the extreme laziness of a sluggard. They are unwilling to put in the effort to even feed themselves, illustrating the negative consequences of excessive sleep and indolence.
Proverbs 26:16
“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.”
This verse highlights the pride and self-deception that can accompany laziness. The sluggard thinks they know better than wise counsel, demonstrating the detrimental mindset of those who indulge in excessive sleep.
Proverbs 20:4
“Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.”
By refusing to work diligently and opting for excessive sleep instead, the sluggards miss out on the opportunities that arise. When harvest time comes, they find themselves empty-handed and lacking in provisions.
Jeremiah 22:21
“I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, ‘I will not listen! This has been my way from my youth; I will not obey!’ “
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder not to be stubborn or resistant to correction. Oftentimes, those who indulge in excessive sleep may become complacent in their ways and disregard wise counsel.
Proverbs 24:30-34
“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
This passage vividly describes the consequences of laziness and excessive sleep. The field of the sluggard is overrun with thorns and weeds, while the stone wall lies in ruins. It serves as a powerful reminder that neglecting our responsibilities for the sake of sleep can lead to poverty and scarcity in various aspects of life.
Proverbs 10:26
“As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.”
Here, a comparison is drawn between the annoyance caused by vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, and the frustration experienced by those who rely on sluggards. This verse highlights the negative impact of laziness and excessive sleep on others.
Proverbs 15:19
“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.”
This verse depicts the consequences of laziness and excessive sleep. The way of the sluggard is obstructed by challenges and difficulties, while the path of the upright, who are diligent, is smooth and unhindered.
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
This verse reinforces the importance of diligent effort and highlights the ineffectiveness of mere talk or empty promises. It encourages us to avoid excessive sleep and prioritize hard work, as it leads to fruitful results.
Proverbs 12:11
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”
This verse contrasts the outcomes of those who diligently work their land and those who chase after empty dreams. It encourages us to avoid the trap of chasing fantasies, which can lead to wasted time and missed opportunities.
Proverbs 19:24
“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!”
This verse humorously depicts the extreme laziness of the sluggard who refuses to make the effort to even feed themselves. It serves as a reminder of the detrimental effects of excessive sleep and inaction.
Proverbs 18:9
“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.”
This verse draws a connection between laziness and destruction. By emphasizing the importance of diligent work, it warns against being slack, as it can lead to detrimental consequences similar to those brought about by deliberate destruction.
Proverbs 21:25
“The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.”
This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of excessive sleep and laziness. The cravings of the sluggard go unfulfilled because they refuse to work. It emphasizes the importance of active engagement and diligence.
Proverbs 22:13
“The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’
This verse exposes the excuses made by the sluggard to justify their excessive sleep and idleness. It serves as a reminder not to let fear or unfounded concerns hinder us from fulfilling our responsibilities and living purposefully.