Is Procrastination a Sin?
Some would like to talk about the subject of procrastination later! However, countless problems arise when we fail to prioritize today and tomorrow correctly. Worry tries to pull tomorrow's issues into today, while procrastination does the opposite; it pushes today's issues into tomorrow.
Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done.” It’s this idea of putting off doing something, especially out of a habit of carelessness or laziness.
Procrastination can have some very negative spiritual implications. Therefore, the Christian should seek to build a character that avoids the habit of procrastination.
Scripture tells us that procrastination:
Results in Poverty (Proverbs 6:9).
Path of Pain (Proverbs 15:19).
Results in Ruin (Proverbs 21:25).
Product of Unrealistic Thinking (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
Causes Missed Opportunity (John 9:4).
Discover four principles for why procrastination is a habit that the Christian should avoid.
Principle 1: Procrastination can Lead to Spiritual Slothfulness.
Romans 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Throughout church history, the seven deadly sins have been a way of classifying the vices that will harm the believer's spiritual life. The sin of sloth is listed alongside lust, greed, wrath, envy, pride, and gluttony.
The sin of sloth has four characteristics: (1) neglect, (2) reluctance to act, (3) half-hearted effort, and (4) becoming quickly discouraged by any possible difficulty.
In the Parable of the Talents, the servant who hid their talents was called “a wicked, lazy servant! “ (Matthew 25:14–30). They experienced spiritual destruction because they procrastinated using what the Master had given them.
Principle 2: Procrastination Foolishly Presumes that we will be Granted Tomorrow.
Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Scripture is filled with examples of people who procrastinated the moment of grace God gave them, supposing they could respond later.
King Saul (1 Samuel 15:22).
Sampson (Judges 16).
The Prophet Jonah (Jonah 1:3).
Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17–27).
King Aggripa (Acts 26:28).
These are a few stories where procrastination to obey God resulted in future ruin. While some received grace and an opportunity to repent, others were not. The truth is that God is under no obligation to grace us with a tomorrow. Therefore, wasting God's grace given to us today is foolish because we cannot guarantee tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1).
In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus warns against presuming that we can take care of spiritual matters at a later time (Luke 13:20). Procrastination is not limited to lazy people. A person can be very busy with many activities yet procrastinate on spiritual matters (James 4:14).
Principle 3: Procrastination Provides a Bad Witness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:11–12 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.
As representatives of Christ, Christians have been called to live as kingdom ambassadors in this world (2 Corinthians 5:20). The implication of this reality is that most non-believers' perspective of Christ comes from observing how Christians live. When the non-Christian views the Christian constantly procrastinating the practice of a Christ-like lifestyle, the witness of the Christian becomes greatly hindered.
The non-Christian watches the life of the Christian. Knowing that His followers would be under the microscope, Jesus encouraged His disciples to be like salt and light in the world through their godly lifestyle (Matthew 5:16).
Principle 4: Procrastination Wastes God-given Gifts.
I Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Every follower of Christ has been given spiritual gifts designed to serve others and build up the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:12). To procrastinate the operation of spiritual gifts is to steal from yourself and your fellow Christian. It robs you of the blessing of being used by God and also robs the body of Christ from benefiting from your giftings.
When it’s all boiled down, procrastination is the voluntary choice not to use that which God has given you. At its core, procrastination is an attempt to control your gifts or only to use them on your terms. In the end, procrastinating operating in your God-giving gifts insults the Giver.
The adversary of our souls entices people to procrastinate by blinding them to the true costs associated with delay (2 Corinthians 4:4). However, if the Spirit has awakened you to you’re procrastinating, it’s crucial to remove anything that might hinder your immediate obedience (James 1:22–25).
Sometimes, we procrastinate doing what God has asked us to do because we are overwhelmed by the magnitude of whatever the Lord asks us to do. However, all God asks us to do is take the small step of faith in obedience. God is responsible for the results; we are responsible for our yes!
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About the Author
Dr. Laurito (DMin. Southwestern Assembly of God University) serves both the church and the academy as a pastor and an adjunct professor. Whether through books, sermons, podcasts, blogs, or biblical resources, Dr. Laurito is committed to equipping this generation to fulfill their Spirit-inspired destiny.