Faith of Our Fathers

Episode: The Dangers of Idleness and Busyness by A.W. Tozer

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: WDAC Radio Company
Speaker: A.W. Tozer
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:15 – “See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”

Episode Overview

In this classic sermon, A.W. Tozer explores the twin perils facing Christians: the dangers of idleness and of excessive busyness. Drawing from Ephesians 5:15, Tozer calls for a balanced and purposeful Christian walk, urging listeners to avoid both lethargy and frenetic overactivity. The episode is marked by Tozer’s practical wisdom, scriptural grounding, and anecdotal warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Need for Circumspection

• Text Foundation: Tozer begins with Ephesians 5:15, urging believers to "walk circumspectly," meaning to be mindful, observant, and wise in their Christian journey (01:08).
• Balance: He warns against becoming overly “danger conscious,” as excessive caution paralyzes action, yet total ignorance of danger leads to disaster.
• Quote:

  “If you are unaware of danger, you increase that danger a hundredfold and almost guarantee disaster.” (03:25)

2. The Danger of Idleness

• Work as Divine Design: Tozer emphasizes that work is not the result of the Fall; before sin entered, God gave Adam and Eve creative, productive tasks.
  • “Work is not a result of man's sin. But to work in sorrow, that's a result of man's sin.” (04:56)
• Idleness Invites Temptation: The speaker cites the adage popularized by Isaac Watts:

  “The devil always finds some task for idle hands to do.” (07:10)

• Biblical Example: David’s fall into sin occurred during idleness; thus, idleness is fertile ground for temptation (07:38).
• Practical Application: Tozer uses the imagery of farm equipment, explaining that machinery “rusts out” from disuse more than it wears out from many years of work.

  “One year of sitting around sulking will do more to rust your soul than 100 years of hard work.” (11:50)

• Action over Perfection: Encourages listeners to take up any form of service, even if it seems humble or insignificant.
• Anecdote: Tells the story of Elmer Durant, who started serving by tending a church lawn and later became a preacher and church planter (15:23).
  • Quote:

    “He began by cutting a lawn.” (16:38)

3. The Danger of Excessive Busyness

• Pendulum Warning: On the other side of idleness is relentless activity, which can be equally dangerous.

  "There’s a great danger in busyness." (17:40)

• Scriptural Perspective: Cites Ecclesiastes—“to everything there is a season”—pointing out the need for both purposeful activity and restorative rest (18:08).
  • “There is no time for idleness… but there is a time to cease activities.” (18:45)
• Spiritual Detriment: Excessive busyness, even in the Lord’s work, may crowd out essential time for prayer and seeking God.
• Need for Silence and Solitude: Draws from biblical figures (Daniel, prophets, Christ) who regularly sought silence to reconnect with God (20:06).
  • Quote:

    “If you’re too busy in the Lord’s work to spend time in the Lord’s presence, then you’re too busy in the Lord’s work.” (24:10)

• Modern Application: Shares advice given to a businessman about refusing to work on Sunday, advocating for a rhythm that honors both labor and spiritual renewal (22:00).

4. The Middle Path: Walking in Wisdom

• Broad Highway Metaphor: Tozer encourages listeners to avoid the ditches of idleness on one side and busyness on the other, choosing instead the "broad highway" of godly balance (25:02).
• Practical Guidance:
  • Be diligent and seek ways to serve God, regardless of prominence.
  • Carve out time for spiritual replenishment; do not adopt the world’s frantic pace.
  • Recognize spiritual growth comes through “exercise”—both in action and in renewing rest (26:05).
• Final Exhortation:

  “Ask God for wisdom not to be idle ever, but to be inactive sometimes for the sake of renewing our battles, relaxing our nerves, and quieting our minds, and above all things, seeing visions of God.” (26:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Defining Circumspection:

  “Circumspectly… means walk looking around, not plunging foolishly headlong, but looking around.” (01:29)

• On Idleness:

  “Idleness is very un-Christlike and contrary to the high will of God.” (06:38)
  “Any Christian who is worth his salt will find something to do in the kingdom of God.” (13:57)

• On the Dangers of Work:

  “The devil is a master of strategy. When a child of God gets busy, he whispers in their ear, ‘Now watch it because you’re going to have a nervous breakdown.’” (12:48)
  “His yoke is easy, his burden is light. I found it so.” (13:19)

• On Silence and Solitude:

  “The prophet sought the silences. You will find God looks for his men in the silence.” (20:06)
  “Men who can’t be silent might as well be silent, because they won’t say anything.” (20:29)

• On Finding the Balance:

  “We could well cut down the decibels in our homes and in our churches. I’m always cautious and a bit afraid of noisy people. It takes a very wise man to talk all the time and say anything.” (20:50)

• Final Blessing:

  “Down the great broad highway of Zion, we will move toward a predetermined end. God grant. This is my prayer this morning.” (26:23)

Important Timestamps

• 01:08 – Introduction to Ephesians 5:15 and walking circumspectly
• 04:56 – Work as part of God’s original design
• 07:10 – The perils of idleness and temptation
• 11:50 – Farm implement analogy; rust vs. wear
• 15:23 – Story of Elmer Durant serving the church
• 17:40 – Shifting focus to busyness
• 18:08 – Ecclesiastes: There is a time for everything
• 20:06 – The value of silence in spiritual life
• 22:00 – Advice to a Christian businessman about keeping Sunday
• 24:10 – “If you’re too busy in the Lord’s work…” motto
• 25:02 – The “broad highway” of balanced Christian living
• 26:09 – Final exhortation on seeking wisdom from God

Overall Tone & Language

Tozer’s tone is wise, pastoral, and practical, blending humor and warmth with scriptural rigor. His language is direct, memorable, and dotted with vivid illustrations from farm life, church experiences, and the Bible’s narratives. The message is both a warning and an encouragement—calling each listener to an examined, fruitful, and balanced Christian walk.

For listeners and readers alike, this episode offers enduring guidance on living faithfully—avoiding the paralysis of idleness and the burnout of overactivity—by seeking the wisdom and rhythm of Christ himself.