19 Bible Verses about Procrastination

Most Relevant Verses

Proverbs 6:2

yea, thou art bound with thine own words, and taken with thine own speech.

Proverbs 6:4

let not thine eyes sleep, nor thine eyelids slumber.

Ecclesiastes 11:3-4

When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. And when the tree falleth, whether it be toward the South or North, in what place soever it fall, there it lieth. He that regardeth the wind, shall not sow; and he that hath respect unto the clouds, shall not reap.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the Emmet, thou sluggard: consider her ways, and learn to be wise. She hath no guide, no teacher, no leader: yet in the summer she provideth her meat, and gathereth her food together in the harvest.

Exodus 22:29

Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:

Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou hast vowed a vow unto the LORD thy God, see thou be not slack to pay it. For he will surely require it of thee, and it shall be sin unto thee.

Proverbs 15:19

The way of the slothful is full of thorns; but the street of the righteous is well cleansed.

Proverbs 22:13

The slothful body sayeth, "There is a lion without, I might be slain in the street."

Proverbs 26:13-15

The slothful sayeth, "There is a leopard in the way, and a lion in the midst of the streets." Like as the door turneth about upon the threshold, even so doth the slothful welter himself in his bed. The slothful body thrusteth his hand into his bosom, and it grieveth him to put it again to his mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

If thou make a vow unto God, be not slack to perform it. As for foolish vows, he hath no pleasure in them.

Matthew 8:21-22

Another that was one of his Disciples said unto him, "Master, suffer me first, to go and bury my father." But Jesus said unto him, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."

Matthew 25:1-12

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom: five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them.read more.
But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And even at midnight, there was a cry made, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go out against him.' Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps go out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, 'Master, master open to us.' But he answered, and said, 'Verily I say unto you: I know you not.'

Luke 9:59-62

And he said unto another, "Follow me." And the same said, "Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father." Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow thee Lord: But let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."read more.
Jesus said unto him, "No man that putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is apt to the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:16-22

And behold, one came, and said unto him, Good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" He said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, and that is, God: But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." The other said, "Which?" And Jesus said, "Thou shalt not kill: thou shalt not break wedlock. Thou shall not steal: thou shalt not bear false witness.read more.
Honour father and mother: and thou shalt love thine neighbor as thyself." And the young man said unto him, "I have observed all these things from my youth, what lack I yet?" And Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." When the young man heard that saying, he went away mourning. For he had great possessions.

2 Corinthians 8:10-14

And I give counsel hereto: For this is expedient for you, which began - not to do only, but also to will - a year ago. Now therefore perform the deed, that as there was in you a readiness to will, even so ye may perform the deed, of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.read more.
It is not my mind that other be set at ease, and ye brought into cumbrance: but that there be equalness now at this time, that your abundance succor their lack at this present time of dearth - that their abundance may supply your lack; that there may be equality,

Jeremiah 13:16

Honour the LORD your God herein, or he take his light from you, and before your feet stumble in darkness at the hill: lest when ye look for the light, he turn it into the shadow and darkness of death.

From Thematic Bible


Procrastination » To be avoided in » Performance of vows

Ecclesiastes 5:4

If thou make a vow unto God, be not slack to perform it. As for foolish vows, he hath no pleasure in them.

Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou hast vowed a vow unto the LORD thy God, see thou be not slack to pay it. For he will surely require it of thee, and it shall be sin unto thee.

Procrastination » Danger of, illustrated

Matthew 5:25

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest that adversary deliver ye to the judge, and the judge deliver ye to the minister, and then thou be cast into prison.

Luke 13:25

When the good man of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, ye shall begin to stand without, and to knock at the door saying, 'Lord, Lord, open unto us.' And he shall answer and say unto you, 'I know you not whence ye are.'

Procrastination » Saints avoid

Psalm 119:60

I make haste, and prolong not the time, to keep thy commandments.

Procrastination » Causes of » Family cares

Matthew 8:21

Another that was one of his Disciples said unto him, "Master, suffer me first, to go and bury my father."

Luke 9:61

And another said, "I will follow thee Lord: But let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."

Procrastination » Motives for avoiding » The present the accepted time

Procrastination » Motives for avoiding » The present the best time

Procrastination » To be avoided in » Glorifying God

Jeremiah 13:16

Honour the LORD your God herein, or he take his light from you, and before your feet stumble in darkness at the hill: lest when ye look for the light, he turn it into the shadow and darkness of death.

Procrastination » Motives for avoiding » The uncertainty of life

Procrastination » Causes of » Worldly entanglements

Genesis 19:16

And as he prolonged the time, the men caught both him, his wife and his two daughters by the hands; because the LORD was merciful unto him, and they brought him forth and set him without the city.

Procrastination » Exemplified

Genesis 19:16

And as he prolonged the time, the men caught both him, his wife and his two daughters by the hands; because the LORD was merciful unto him, and they brought him forth and set him without the city.

Procrastination » To be avoided in » Keeping God's commandments

Psalm 119:60

I make haste, and prolong not the time, to keep thy commandments.

Procrastination » To be avoided in » Making offerings to God

Exodus 22:29

Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:

Procrastination » To be avoided in » Hearkening to God

Psalm 95:7-8

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands. Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,

Procrastination » Instances of » Elisha

1 Kings 19:20-21

And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?" And he went back again from after him, and took a yoke of oxen and slew them, and dressed the flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave it the people, and they did eat. And then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered unto him.

Procrastination » Condemned by Christ

Luke 9:59-62

And he said unto another, "Follow me." And the same said, "Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father." Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow thee Lord: But let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." read more.
Jesus said unto him, "No man that putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is apt to the kingdom of God."

Procrastination » To be avoided in » Seeking God

Procrastination » Exemplified » Felix

Acts 24:25

And as he preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come; Felix trembled, and answered, "Thou hast done enough at this time: depart. When I have a convenient time, I will send for thee."

Procrastination » Causes of » Personal convenience

Acts 24:25

And as he preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come; Felix trembled, and answered, "Thou hast done enough at this time: depart. When I have a convenient time, I will send for thee."

Procrastination » Causes of » Unbelief

Acts 17:32

When they heard of the resurrection from death, some mocked, and others said, "We will hear thee again of this matter."

Procrastination » Instances of » Pharaoh

Exodus 8:10

And he said, "Tomorrow." And he said, "Even as thou hast said, that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.

Procrastination » Instances of » Esther

Esther 5:8

if I have found grace in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to give me my petition, and to fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and so will I do tomorrow as the king hath said."

Salvation » Neglect of » Procrastination

Acts 24:25

And as he preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come; Felix trembled, and answered, "Thou hast done enough at this time: depart. When I have a convenient time, I will send for thee."

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