By Steve Lee
Synopsis: The world pays tribute to productivity, but procrastination remains a problem—especially in the spiritual realm. Let us, therefore, recognize that today (not tomorrow, or “when I get around to it”) is the day of action and accountability.
The word procrastination means, “the action of delaying or postponing something” (New Oxford American Dictionary). The word “procrastination” is not found in the Bible. So, you may ask, “Why are you writing about a non-biblical word in a religious magazine?” While the word itself is not found in Scripture, the concept and principle is there. We will look at a few examples in this article.
It is easy to fall into the trap of procrastination. The motto of some folks is, “Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?” Solomon described the sluggard: “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. . .” (Prov. 6:10 KJV). Let me suggest that laziness could be a close relative of procrastination! I suppose there are some things that could be delayed that may only have trivial consequences, but sometimes people put off important tasks for too long and then the time of opportunity runs out. Have we ever put off, or delayed, going to visit a weak or struggling Christian until they finally harden their hearts to the point of no return? Have we ever delayed going to visit the sick or shut-ins, thinking I’ll do that tomorrow, only to see that person pass from the scenes of this life and now the opportunity has passed? What about the opportunity that we may waste to reach out to a non-Christian to study with them about the truth and hopefully see them render obedience to the gospel, only for them to lose interest and they never obey? Space does not permit me to write about the times we put off doing more Bible reading and study, more time in prayer and meditation, believing we will have more opportunities tomorrow. Sadly, I think we all have found ourselves in these situations.
Let’s consider a couple of biblical examples of not delaying. In Acts 22, the apostle Paul was given an opportunity to address the Jews and answer the false charges levied against him by the Jews of Asia. He recounts his life before and after his conversion to the Lord. In that process, he tells the part of the story where Ananias, acting under Christ’s direction (Acts 9:10-18), came and said, “Now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (22:16; cf. Acts 9:17-18 KJV). Paul wasted no time in obeying the gospel. He obeyed immediately. When we are confronted with sin, do we delay repenting or do we take care of the matter straightaway?
Consider the admonition in Hebrews 3. The writer is admonishing his readers, and by extension, us, to be faithful and not to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, or be led astray by an evil heart of unbelief. He encourages Christians to continue exhorting one another. Interestingly enough, the writer uses the word, “today.” He did not say this could be handled tomorrow, next week, or some timein the future. We are to admonish one another daily, “while it is called today!” I wonder if there are any unfaithful brethren today who might be faithful today if someone had taken the advantage of the opportunity when it arose, instead of thinking, “I’ll visit that weak brother or sister tomorrow or maybe next week.” It certainly should make us give serious thought about putting off or delaying the need to admonish one daily. If you or I know of someone who needs encouraging, let’s do it now. Do it today!
Briefly, I would like to consider a couple of examples in the Bible of people who delayed and put off a decision to do what is right. The first example is Felix in Acts 24. The apostle Paul was brought before the governor in essence to give a defense of himself after he was accused of being a seditious man and a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). Paul speaks to the governor and tells him his story, and defends his actions. After Felix heard these things and after he had a “more perfect knowledge of the way” (24:22), he deferred them until Lysias, the chief captain, should come down. The next time that Paul talks to Felix, Felix had brought his wife with him. Paul spoke and “reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come,” Felix trembled, and told Paul to go his way and when he had a convenient season, he would call for him (24:25). Sadly, we have no record of Felix obeying the gospel. He put off an opportunity to obey and may have never done so.
The other example is also found in the book of Acts. This time it is king Agrippa, before whom Paul appears to give a defense against the charges that are being leveled against him. This incident is found in Acts 26. When Paul was permitted to speak, he respectfully gave the king a history lesson—while focusing upon his own conversion. After a lengthy dissertation, Paul asks Agrippa if he believed the prophets—even affirming that he knew that the king believed (v. 27). King Agrippa responded to the apostle, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (v. 28). In response, the apostle stated his desire that Agrippa would be, not almost, but altogether as he was, except for his bonds (v. 29). Like Felix, we have no record of Agrippa obeying the gospel. Both Felix and Agrippa had opportunities to become Christians, but delayed their response, and may have kept delaying until it was too late.
Friend, if you, or someone you know, need to submit oneself to God in obedience, do not delay. Tomorrow, or a better time, may never come. Procrastination may dull the desire to obey God. Obey God and do it now!
