In Psalm 64 we read about the secret counsel of the wicked and the insurrection of the workers of iniquity.  In this verse the word “insurrection” means, “open revolt against an established government, a tumultuous crowd, rage.”  We learn that the wicked and those who work iniquity use their tongues like an arrow and a sword.  The bend their lips like a bow to shoot bitter words.  They shoot at the upright—those of good moral conduct—in secret.  They shoot unexpectedly and at a specific target.  What target?  They target the upright’s character and they shoot at his words.  They devise evil plans by watching and studying areas of neglect in one’s character.  Remember Haman who accused Mordechai?  Sanballat and Tobias who accused Nehemiah?  The leaders who accused Daniel? In each case they looked for a fault.  Just as oceanographers look for fault lines under the ocean floor, the wicked look for fault lines in our spirit.  One shift of a fault line and untold damage can be done.  One wicked word directed against a man’s weakness can ruin the future of an individual.  Even today, we are witnesses of such wickedness.  The recent liberal attack against Majority Senate leader Senator Lott was a wicked as it comes.  They read something into a remark at a Birthday Party and their bitter words caused him to step down from office.  Think about it!  The whole issue was a war over words said at a “Birthday Party.”   In Luke 11:53-54 we see this very scenario even in His day, “And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:  laying in wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”

The media is constantly looking for kinks in the armor of Israel’s government to verbally assault.  What sin does the Devil use?  Neglect.

There are two parables told in Luke 11, which describe the cause and consequence of neglect:  Failure to bind the strong man before he plunders your goods and leaving your house swept and garnished after it has been cleaned.  Then in Mathew 24 we see another cause and consequence of neglect: Failure to watch.  “But know this, that if the Goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”  Matthew 25 speaks of the kingdom of God likened to five wise and the five foolish virgins.  The foolish virgins neglected to fill their oil and at midnight they were not prepared for the bridegroom. It is followed by the parable about the stewardship of talents: 5-2-1.  The servant with one talent was afraid of his master’s will and neglected to invest the talent.  The King considered him to be a wicked and slothful servant.  Finally, the King invites those that were diligent to inherit the kingdom of God.  Their works fed the hungry, watered the thirsty, housed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the prisoner.  Those that neglected to act upon their righteousness were cast into the lack of fire.

This study is designed to address the subject neglect.  It’s cause, it’s consequence and it’s cure.

Neglect is a subject completely rooted into the fiber of the Bible.  It has its beginning in Eve’s failure to obey her husband and heed the voice of the serpent.  Immediately following we find that Cain’s neglect to heed the voice of the LORD becomes Abel’s demise and Cain’s eternal separation from God. As noted above in the summary of parables, neglect has taken its toll on countless souls and therefore it behooves us, as stewards over the gift of God to examine the cause of neglect.

Paul instructs us not to neglect our great salvation, nor the gift that has been given us. 

What is Neglect?

• “Neglect” is the “lack of acting upon personal or corporate responsibility.” It is rooted in action—the lack thereof.  It is slothfulness, the antithesis to diligence.

What Causes Neglect?

• Being too Busy—I don’t have time (Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom)
  
  
• Attitude of the heart—Excuses, Slothful, Rebellious, Disobedient, Covetousness which is Idolatry (self), Unbelief, Fear.
  
  
• Wounded Spirit—Feeling cheated, hurt. It is in times like this that you may take justice into your own hands, which is an offence against God.
  
  
• Depression/Sin
  • He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin.
  • Picking up something whether its yours or not.
  • Having the ability to assist and withholding the hand to do so.
    
    
• Ignorance
• Poor stewardship
• Lack of Respect
  • Inalienable right of all men—2 John:6
  • Men rarely respect something that is not theirs (Abel said am I my brothers keeper? Yes we areTitus 1:7-16, John 3

What are the Consequences of Neglect?

• Spiritual and natural decay
• Loss
• Unclean Spirits/Spiritual Battles
• Merchandising
• A burdenless heart—becomes an unclean heart

What is the Cure of Neglect?

• Learning Respect—To Man and To God (Love)
• Being a doer of the word and not an hearer only
• Doing it unto the LORD—Do all that you do as unto the LORD—The Lord SEES