Scriptures on Procrastination & Laziness in the Bible
We’re all guilty of procrastination from time to time. And as believers, we may feel self conscious about it. Is it acceptable behavior for Christians? Let’s review some quotes about procrastination in the Bible to see for ourselves!
What does God say about procrastination? Is procrastination a sin or are we just overanalyzing an innocent behavioral shortcoming? The battle in our minds can get intense at times.
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Before we dig in too deep, just know that 99% of Americans are self-professed procrastinators, with 20% of adults having chronic issues. So regardless of where you fall in the procrastination spectrum, you’re not alone.
However, as Christians we do not conform to societal norms. We follow God’s word! So it’s important to know where we stand, by discussing the actual Bible verses about procrastination.
Procrastination in The Bible & Why We Feel Bad
We’d all like to believe that as followers of Christ, being good is in our DNA. It’s who we are! Being kind, considerate and productive is second nature to us. Or at least, we try for it to be… That’s the goal basically!
We generally try to be model citizens by embodying the fruits of the Spirit: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)
So naturally, any deviation from what we perceive to be “goodness” and “self-control” would cause us to be overcome with a sense of guilt.
So is feeling bad about procrastination actual Holy Spirit conviction, or is it just us overthinking things, because of the standards that we have set for ourselves?
Is it sinful or is it one of those gray areas that toe the line between right and wrong? It depends! Let’s see what the scriptures on procrastination have to say!
Is Procrastination a Sin?
According to the Bible, procrastination is not a sin unless it is the willful delay of a positive action. Putting off something that is clearly the right thing to do, will be classified as a sin.
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17)
For example: choosing not to help someone in need of immediate assistance, right away.
Delaying an activity that doesn’t really affect anyone else, or have repercussions, cannot be deemed sinful. For example: casually enjoying a movie instead of doing the dishes, promptly after dinner.
That’s perfectly fine, provided that there are no negative consequences involved. If putting off the dishes means that another task is affected, resulting in you feeling overwhelmed and spiralling into a state of depression… you better rethink your decision.
If putting off the dishes affects other people negatively, you may also need to reconsider your thinking. Especially if you are well aware of all this beforehand.
So is procrastination a sin? Yes and no! There is no black and white, definitive response to that question! The answer must be judged on a situational basis. Whether or not your heart was in the right place, plays a huge factor.
An honest oversight or a lapse in judgement cannot be considered a sin, even if there are negative impacts. Therefore, the answer lies between you and God!
Hey… It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to choose to enjoy life, at the expense of completing a chore right away. You should not feel bad for that. That’s just a time management decision.
As questionable as your choices might be, once your intentions are good, don’t beat yourself up too much!
However, delaying completion of a task and then putting yourself or others in a tough situation… that’s not good! If you willingly make a decision that has negative consequences, that’s sin!
One important point to note is that; even though procrastination and laziness aren’t direct sins in all situations, the Bible generally frowns on people that engage in that type of behavior.
It’s similar to being a “foolish person”. You aren’t necessarily sinning, but you aren’t exactly pleasing God with your behavior either. And you may be negatively influencing others. So there are a few things to consider!
The Most Conclusive Scriptures on Procrastination
Let’s analyze a few scriptures about procrastination to help you navigate through your struggles, and establish some clarity on the topic:
1. Proverbs 24:30-34
“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns. The ground was covered with nettles and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw and considered it, I looked and received instruction. 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.”
Key Points to Note:
i. The Bible considers a sluggard to be someone habitually lazy, with poor work ethics. The scripture equates these characteristics to that of a person lacking sense, that is… a fool (according to the NLT translation).
If procrastination becomes a habit, we could find ourselves in sluggard territory. And thereby branded as a biblical fool.
ii. The scripture essentially goes on to say that someone with poor work ethics is destined for poverty.
iii. Constant resting, at the expense of completing your duties, is disgraceful!
2. Luke 9:59-62
“To another He (Jesus) said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.’
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.’”
What Can We Learn from this Scripture?
i. We must be able to set our priorities in order!
ii. Your spiritual responsibilities and obligations to God, takes precedence above everything else.
iii. We cannot procrastinate when it comes to doing God’s work.
3. Matthew 25:23
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you more.”
Important Takeaways from the Parable of the Talents:
i. When we successfully manage a little, God would bless us with more.
ii. If we apply ourselves diligently, we can expect to be rewarded for our hard work.
iii. If you put in the effort to multiply your finances, God would take it even further.
iv. God wants us to put in the work. He values a hard worker.
4. Matthew 19:17-21
“If you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments… If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
Scripture Lessons:
i. The minimum requirements to go to heaven is keeping God’s commandments.
ii. As long as your specific moment of procrastination does not break any commandments, your salvation is not at risk. That is, it is not a sin.
iii. God loves those who go above and beyond the minimum entry requirements. You would be rewarded accordingly.
5. Romans 14:21-22
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.”
What Can We Understand from this Scripture?
i. As Christians, we are an example to those around us.
ii. If our actions influence others to sin, we are accountable.
iii. If we feel guilty about doing something, it’s probably best that we don’t do it.
6. James 4:17
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
i. Failing to act, when something is clearly the right thing to do, is sin.
ii. Procrastinating or wilfully delaying a good deed, without good reason, is sinful.
More Scriptures on Procrastination & Laziness in the Bible
7. James 2:14-17
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
…So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
8. Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven...
…And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God…
…there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life…”
9. Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”
10. Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest…
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another or maybe both.”
11. Luke 12:35-48
“…A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward…”
12. Deuteronomy 8:18
“Remember the Lord your God! He’s the one who gives you the strength to be prosperous…”
13. James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
14. James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
15. Matthew 6:33-34
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
16. Hebrews 6:11-12
“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”
17. Hebrews 12:3-11
“Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted…
…It is for discipline that you have to endure…
…For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
18. Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
19. Philippians 1:6
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
20. Philippians 2:5
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
21. Philippians 3:12-14
“…But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
22. Philippians 4:13
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
23. Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
24. 1 Corinthians 14:40
“But all things should be done decently and in order.”
25. 1 Corinthians 15:58
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
26. Galatians 5:25
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
27. Galatians 6:9-10
“Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith.”
28. Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
29. Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
30. John 9:4
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”
31. Romans 7:20
“Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”
32. Romans 13:11
“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is. Time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
33. Ephesians 5:15-17
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
34. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.”
35. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.
For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you…
…Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.’
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.“
36. 1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
37. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
38. 1 Peter 1:13-14
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.”
39. 1 Peter 3:13-17
“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it…
…Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”
40. 1 Peter 4:1-2
“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.
You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”
41. 2 Peter 1:3-11
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life…
…Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone…
…So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Best Quotes about Procrastination in the Bible
42. Psalm 37:5
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.”
43. Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to count carefully the days of our short lives. Then we will be wise in how we live.”
44. Psalm 119:60
“I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.”
45. Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.”
46. Proverbs 10:4
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
47. Proverbs 12:24
“Work hard and become a leader, be lazy and become a slave.”
48. Proverbs 13:4
“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”
49. Proverbs 14:23
“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!”
50. Proverbs 15:19
“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.”
51. Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
52. Proverbs 18:9
“Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.”
53. Proverbs 19:15
“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.”
54. Proverbs 20:4
“The sluggard does not plow in the autumn, he will seek at harvest and have nothing.”
55. Proverbs 21:5
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
56. Proverbs 21:25
“Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.”
57. Proverbs 27:1
“Do not boast about what you will do tomorrow. You do not know what might happen.”
The Most Powerful Series of Quotes About Procrastination (Proverbs 6:4-11)
“Don’t put it off, do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!
Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.
But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit, scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.“
Bonus Scriptures on Procrastination (Balancing Rest & Work)
Genesis 2:1-2
“So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.”
Matthew 8:23-25
“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’
Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”
Matthew 26:40-41
“Then He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!’”
John 4:1-6
“So He left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually He came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.”
Key Takeaways & Life Lessons for Procrastination Quotes
1. Procrastination may or may not be a sin. It must be analyzed on a case by case basis.
2. For cases of procrastination that have negative implications, since no one can truly assess your heart or the purity of your intentions, God alone can be the judge.
Obviously, you would know whether or not you are guilty of committing a sin.
3. God loves diligence and frowns upon laziness. Habitual procrastination is laziness!
4. God blesses hard workers by giving them more.
5. As believers, we are an example to others. We need to be mindful of the character traits that we exhibit. Other believers, and non-believers, are observing us and we need to be role models!
6. We do not need to be perfect to enter heaven, we simply need to obey the commandments. However, going the extra mile is pleasing to God and we would be rewarded accordingly.
7. We all have different personalities (serious, laid back, funny, etc), and that’s perfectly fine. As long as we represent Christ honorably, and portray ourselves as a good example to others.
8. Making time management decisions, to ensure that we make the most of life, is okay. Even if it means delaying an important task ever so often. Compulsive laziness however, is not okay!
9. There is a time for everything, including work and relaxation.
10. Being able to work is a blessing from God. Being able to enjoy life and basking in the rewards that come with hard work, is also a blessing from God. Balance is key!
11. Taking a rest is okay! We are human and our bodies need rest from time to time. There are several instances where Christ rested. God also rested on the 7th day after completing his work of creation.
12. Prioritizing your physical and mental well-being, ever so often, is perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with a little rest and relaxation to rejuvenate your mind and body.
13. We need to take special consideration with regards to spiritual procrastination. We should not delay activities that put our spiritual growth and salvation at risk, or that of others.
We need to work diligently for the Kingdom of God!
14. Christ is our example. Ask yourself what He would do, whenever the urge to procrastinate arises. Would He rest? Would He switch tasks? Or would He power through and complete what needs to be done?
Frequently Asked Questions for Procrastination Quotes
FAQ: What does God say about procrastinating?
Procrastination is a sin, if it is the delay of a positive action. James 4:17 states that, “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Additionally, habitual procrastination can be deemed as laziness, which is distasteful in the eyes of God.
However, making time management decisions and rearranging your schedule to capitalize on some rest, or personal entertainment, is perfectly fine. As long as there are no negative implications.
FAQ: What does the Bible say about procrastination in Proverbs?
In Proverbs 24:30-34, the Bible brands a habitual procrastinator as a sluggard or a lazy person. They are called foolish and destined for poverty. Constantly prioritizing rest over work is also labeled as a shameful habit.
Proverbs 6:4-11 calls for us to act now and to operate like ants in terms of their work ethic.
FAQ: What is the spirit of procrastination?
The spirit of procrastination is the temptation to delay the start, or completion, of a task or activity. It is an urge to put off work or to shrug off responsibilities. Chronic procrastination can have detrimental effects on our productivity and may induce stress or other long-term mental issues.
As Christians, we need to pray about this and resist procrastination as much as possible. We must be able to strike a balance between enjoying life and taking care of our work and other obligations.
FAQ: What does the Bible say about perseverance through hard times?
Perseverance is a godly trait and God expects us to persevere through hard times. We will ultimately be rewarded for our ability to endure through life’s struggles. James 1:12 states that, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Hebrews 10:36 goes on to say, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
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Final Thoughts: What Does the Bible Say About Procrastination?
Generally speaking, procrastination cannot be categorized as a sin. However, specific cases may be deemed as sinful, especially if you are aware of the negative implications involved. It must be assessed on a situational basis.
Just to make it clear, purposefully delaying a positive action, without good reason, is sin! It also goes without saying that chronic procrastination is laziness. And God frowns upon laziness!
So be sure to pray about it, if you are one of the many persons out there battling with a spirit of procrastination. You can overcome this struggle! As James 4:7-8 states, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.”
Or if you’re tired, need a nap and it’s long overdue, just relax and enjoy a nap. But pray about it anyway! Talk to God… He’d guide you!
Do you have any additional thoughts on the subject of procrastination? What other supporting scriptures do you know of? Share with us in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!
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57+ Quotes about Procrastination in the Bible with Scripture Analysis – Is Procrastination a Sin?