THE DANGER OF DELAY (Part 2) | By Babatunde Olugboji
Last week we started a series exploring what the Bible says about ‘The Sin of Someday,’ otherwise known as procrastination. We described procrastination as the deliberate postponement of something that should be done. 
For some people, it is an occasional weakness; for others, it becomes a way of life. We keep saying, “I will do it tomorrow. I will deal with it later. I will start when the time is right.” But while the word procrastination does not appear in Scripture, the Bible repeatedly warns us about the danger of unnecessary delay.
Do Not Procrastinate About God
Arguably the most dangerous form of procrastination, is “spiritual procrastination,” in other words, procrastinating about things of the spirit.
Have you noticed that some people recognize their need for God but continually postpone responding to Him. “I will get serious with God later.” “I will change when I am older.” “I will surrender eventually.” “I will deal with my spiritual life when things settle down.” “I still have time.” “I will pray more when I have a new job.” I will be more serious with God when God’s blessing is upon me.” “I will fast and pray tomorrow.”
But Scripture never promises us tomorrow. James 4:14 says: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Even if you live to your old age, life, at the end of the day, is brief and unpredictable. That is why Hebrews repeatedly emphasizes one word: Today. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrew 3:15 Not next month. Not next year.
Not when life becomes convenient. Today!
There is a spiritual danger in repeatedly postponing what God is asking us to do. Every time we hear God’s voice and fail to respond, our hearts can become a little less sensitive. The problem with saying, “I will obey God tomorrow,” is that tomorrow can easily become next week, next month, next year and eventually never. When God speaks, the safest and simplest response is obedience.
Preparation Cannot Always Be Done at the Last Minute
Jesus also warned against spiritual procrastination through the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Ten virgins waited for the bridegroom. Five were wise. Five were foolish. All of them looked the same. The difference was not that one group expected the bridegroom and the other did not. All ten were waiting for him.
The difference was preparation. Five had prepared before the bridegroom arrived. Five waited until it was too late. When the announcement finally came “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” The foolish virgins suddenly began scrambling for what they should already have possessed.
But some things cannot be prepared at the last minute. You cannot live carelessly for years and assume that you will suddenly become spiritually mature during a crisis. You cannot neglect prayer continually and expect intimacy with God to materialize overnight. You cannot ignore God’s Word and expect spiritual strength to appear automatically when temptation comes.
Preparation happens before the moment of testing. It will be an act of stupidity to not put gas in the tank of your car until you run out of gas. Listen carefully to the conclusion of Jesus: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13 
This week, the central message is simple: Be ready now. Today!
To be continued.
Have a good week.
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