Do the words “tomorrow” and “later” sound familiar when it comes to getting things done? Procrastination can be a hard habit to break, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.
Today, we’ll explore Bible verses that focus on the topic of procrastination and what they teach us about overcoming and preventing it.
Bible Verses About Procrastination
Proverbs 24:30-34
“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”
Proverbs 6:6-11
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
Proverbs 10:4-5
“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”
James 4:17
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin.”
Dangers of Procrastination
Proverbs 6:4-5
“Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.”
Proverbs 10:5
“He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”
Proverbs 24:30-34
“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4
“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
James 4:17
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Also Read: 27 Bible Verses About Choices and Making Decisions
Overcoming Procrastination
Proverbs 12:24
“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.”
Proverbs 13:4
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”
Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Seeking God’s Help
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 119:60
“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Also Read: 30 Important Bible Verse About Being Yourself
Consequences of Procrastination
Proverbs 20:4
“The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing.”
Proverbs 24:33-34
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
Matthew 25:26-30
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”
Luke 9:62
“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'”
James 1:22-25
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
God’s Timing
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted.”
Habakkuk 2:3
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Also Read: 27 Important Bible Verses about Blessing Others
Application of these Bible Verses in Daily Life
Knowing these Bible verses about procrastination is important, but applying them in our daily lives is even more crucial. Here are some ways we can apply these verses in our daily lives:
Set Priorities: We need to set priorities and make a to-do list for the day, week, or month. This will help us stay focused and avoid procrastination.
Take Action: We need to take action and start doing what needs to be done. We should not wait for the perfect time or for everything to be perfect before we start.
Seek God’s Help: We need to seek God’s help and guidance in everything we do. We should pray and ask for wisdom, strength, and courage to overcome procrastination.
Be Diligent: We need to be diligent and work hard, knowing that our labor is not in vain. We should not be lazy or idle, but rather be productive and fruitful.
Trust God’s Timing: We need to trust God’s timing and wait patiently for His plans to unfold. We should not rush or force things, but rather wait for God’s perfect timing.
Applying these Bible verses in our daily lives requires discipline, faith, and trust in God. We need to set priorities, take action, seek God’s help, be diligent, and trust God’s timing. By doing so, we can overcome procrastination and live a productive and fulfilling life.
Final Thoughts
procrastination is a common issue that many people struggle with, but the Bible offers guidance and wisdom on how to overcome it. We have seen that procrastination can lead to negative consequences, but with God’s help, we can be diligent and productive in everything we do.
By setting priorities, taking action, seeking God’s help, being diligent, and trusting in God’s timing, we can overcome procrastination and live a life that honors Him. Let us remember the words of Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” May we all strive to be diligent and productive in all aspects of our lives, for the glory of God.