Procrastination refers to delaying or postponing tasks or actions that need to be accomplished. People who procrastinate often put off important tasks until the last minute, even though they know that delaying the task may have negative consequences.

Procrastination is a typical behavior caused by various factors, such as lack of motivation, fear of failure, difficulty in starting a task, or distraction. Procrastination can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and guilt and can also affect productivity and performance.

It is essential to identify and address the underlying reasons for procrastination to overcome it. Strategies that can help include setting clear goals and deadlines, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, avoiding distractions, and seeking support from others.

Developing good time management skills and practicing self-discipline can also help to reduce procrastination.

Bible Verse for procrastination

1. Proverbs 24:30-33

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

2. Luke 9:59-62

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he 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 also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

3. Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

4. Romans 7:20

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

5. Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

6. Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

7. Proverbs18:9

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

8. Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 

9. Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 

10. Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

The Spiritual Root of Procrastination

11. Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

12. Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

13. Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14. Luke 12:40

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

15. Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

16. John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

17. James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

18. Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

19 Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

20. Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

21. Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

22. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Examples of Procrastination in the Bible

23. 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.

24. Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

25. Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

26. Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

27. Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desire th, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

28. Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

29. James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

30. Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

31. Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

32. Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

33. Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

How do I Stop Procrastination According to the Bible?

34. John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

35. Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

36. Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

37. Proverbs 21:17

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

38. Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

39. Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

40. Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

41. Hebrews12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

42. Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

43. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Biblical ways to overcome procrastination

44. Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

45. 1 Corinthians 14:40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

46. Psalms 90:12

[12]So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

47. Psalms 119:60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

48. Philippians 3:12-16

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

49. Ecclesiastes 5:4

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

50. Proverbs 3:28

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

51. Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

52. James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

53. Proverbs10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Parables about procrastination

54. Matthew 25:1-10

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye 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 marriage: and the door was shut.

55. Matthew 21:28-30

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Breaking the Spirit of Procrastination

56. Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

57. 1 Corinthians 14:40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

58. Psalms 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

59. Psalms 119:60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

60. Philippians 3:14-16

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

61. Ecclesiastes 5:4

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

62. Proverbs 3:28 

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

63. Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

64. James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

65. Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Bible Study on procrastination

66. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

67. Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

68. Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

69. John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

70. Luke 12:39

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

71. Luke 12:45-47

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

71. Proverbs 6:4

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

72. Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

73. Luke 9:59-62

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he 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 also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

74. Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Procrastination is a bad habit that can lead to a wide range of negative consequences in the short and long term. Procrastination reduces the quality of work and can lead to missed deadlines, missed opportunities, and diminished self-esteem.

After all, when we procrastinate, we delay taking action on something, which further reinforces the habit and leads to further procrastination.

Healthy lifestyle habits like setting realistic goals, planning, and staying organized can help combat procrastination. Setting a hard deadline for tasks can also help to motivate us to keep on track.

Finally, it’s important to remember that taking breaks or stepping away from tasks is okay if necessary. Taking time to acknowledge and deal with our feelings can help to reduce the stress associated with procrastination.