Articles
Procrastination
Joshua challenged Israel: “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (Joshua 18:3). Waiting to act, especially in difficult, undesirable tasks, is common to all people. However, Joshua’s words open our eyes to the reality that there is a thin line between procrastination and sin when it comes to God’s commands. Why is procrastination dangerous?
Procrastination dims the urgency of God’s commands. David understood that God’s word is to be obeyed, and promptly: “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments” (Psalm 119:60). Yet procrastination changes this mindset to something more akin to “I keep your commandments when I get around to it.” “And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you’” (Acts 24:25). Felix avoided the urgency of the situation and Paul’s words by putting it off. Though he had many other opportunities (Acts 24:26), none seemed to have the pressure of that initial encounter. When we wait, we lose the urgency of our obedience.
Procrastination multiplies excuses. The longer we wait to do something, the more reasons we can devise not to do it. Solomon’s picture of the lazy man is hilarious, yet true: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” (Prov 22:13). If we don’t want to do something, we’ll find an excuse not to do it. God told Haggai to rebuke the people for saying “the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord”(Hag 1:2). A litany of excuses is given by people not yet willing to follow Jesus (Luke 9:57-62, 14:18-20). When excuses become a habit, we inch farther from obedience.
Procrastination hardens us. “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13). Waiting until “today” is called “tomorrow” to gain encouragement may mean that we become hardened. We become used to waiting, and no one forces us to act now. God’s word no longer directly affects our lives, but we may get around to it eventually! Temptation should be resisted, but I can repent later! Procrastination hardens us.
“And now why are you waiting?” (Acts 22:16). Let’s brush aside our laziness and excuses and obey our God!
