Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job are wisdom literatures, which not only offer short, simple and general sayings or principles of life, mostly based on observations and experiences of life but also teach God’s people to fear (revere) God and follow His will and word as He knows the best course of action (Pr 1:7). Proverbs 26 is part of the collection of sayings attributed to Solomon (Pr 25 to 29), which covers warnings regarding those who reject God’s wisdom and will, who are called fools, lazy and conflict-mongers, respectively (Pr 26:1–12; 13–16 and 16–28). This article focuses on Proverbs 26:13–16 regarding the warning given to lazy people who resist God’s wisdom by making outrageous excuses. In the next sub-section, their nature (who they are), role (what they do) and its cost (results) are discussed. Laziness is discussed as one of the examples in the Bible, which uncovers many forms of procrastinations. Throughout the Proverbs, laziness is described as an irrational and selfish unwillingness to work (Pr 15:19; 19:15).

Lazy procrastinators make groundless excuses, which lead to no or little progress (Pr 26:13f): Proverbs 26:13 says ‘There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square’. The phrase is repeated twice because lazy procrastinators repeatedly (emphatically) insist on their beliefs and views to convince themselves and others that it is not conducive and safe for them to depart from their own house to go to work and perform their tasks (Pr 6:13; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 22:13). According to Newheiser (2008:108), ‘He [the sluggard] takes great pains to escape from pains, because his motto is: “Never do today what can be put off until tomorrow”’. Commenting on Proverbs 26:14, ‘As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed’, Kitchen (2006:592) said:

An image of a door that only swings backwards and forwards and never goes anywhere else, is compared to a lazy person who show no progress and accomplishment in life due to minimal or limited effort to reach his or her vision and mission.

Lazy procrastinators make counter-productive efforts with proud statements (Pr 26:15f): The Bible warns against laziness, which is a tendency to evade, rebel or being hostile (not willing) to do the right and good things (Pr. 12:24; Rm.8:7; Jam.4:17). The proverb depicting the lazy person burying his hand in the dish or sitting with food and being too lazy (unwilling or unable) to bring it to his mouth again shows that lazy procrastinators are not only making counter-productive efforts (cf. Pr 6:15; 19:24; 26:15) but also continually making or insisting on the groundless excuses to avoid unpleasant tasks, by saying all sorts of things, even going to outrageous and ridiculous extremes. He will lie to himself and others, misrepresent reality, suppress his conscience, and rationalise it away (Selvaggio 2008:54). It is clear in Proverbs 26:16, ‘He is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer’. The lazy procrastinator speaks with pride and arrogance, thinking of himself as wise and disregarding God’s word and the advice and counselling of the wisest people (cf. a complete number seven [n = 7] around him; he is called a fool who will pay the cost [price] or reap painful consequences) (Pr 15:19; 20:4; 22:13; Selvaggio 2008:57).

God’s word warns against rational excuses based on preconceived false beliefs and mindset: Laziness is one of the examples in the Bible, which uncovers one of many forms of procrastinations. In that regard, in Proverbs 6:6–11, God’s people are urged to work and that they should learn from an ‘ant’, which is an example of diligence and planning in contrast to the selfish comfort-seeking behaviour of lazy procrastinators who lack self-control and find indulging in their ‘sleep’. The lack of self-control is part of the signs of the last days, which include lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revellers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these (2 Tm 3:1–5; Rm 1:18; 2:8). The word procrastination does not appear in the Bible, but the idea is implied (Dt 7:9f; Ps 40:16f, 70:4f). Guilty consciousness, fear, blame-shifting, uncertainty and doubts about God are the results of sin, which is the root cause of procrastination (Gn 3:6–10; Rm 5:12). It becomes a habit, pattern, and way of life to say, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’. This leads a lazy person to delay, shy away, make excuses, postpone, neglect or put off important tasks, such as academic assignments, projects, or home responsibilities not only out of fear to take responsibilities or be engaged in uncomfortable tasks but also because of some underlying preconceived and false beliefs, irrational and indecisive mindset. These include mentality, which selects what is important to obey (selective mentality), mentality where a person sees themselves as a victim of circumstances and blames others (victim mentality), mentality which reflects a tendency to follow the crowd (crowd mentality) and a mentality which chooses and listens to what it likes (itching-ears mentality – 2 Tm 4:3). God does not procrastinate and does not expect that behaviour in his people.

Procrastination has its adverse effects whether on us or on others. It creates or causes an endless and inevitable vicious cycle of delays, wasting of time (opportunities), resources (financial, material and human potentials and skills) and broken trust and relationships, and so forth. It generates a variety of negative outcomes, including a high level of stress and anxiety, which in turn result in various adverse health conditions (Sirois 2004:270). It impairs the quality of work and leads to poor performance (Heward 2010:6). It is a self-handicapping behaviour, wasting time and leading to poor performance and increased stress. In Proverbs and related passages (Pr 24:30 ff; 25:28; Ec 10:8; Ps 80:12), the walls of a city are depicted as protecting the internal (inside) territory from external (outside) threats such as infiltration by enemies. In its chronic stages, laziness (which leads to procrastination) is like a thief or robber who ruins (destroys) the fences or walls and leaves the whole internal territory unguarded and vulnerable. It undermines, blocks, robs and destroys God’s plan and blessings of and for God’s people (Pr 18:9; Ja 4:17). Academic procrastination can lead to a failure in achieving academic goals which results in a series of other consequences. An employee’s unreadiness and inability to make decisions and a lack of consistent work ethics could result in complete loss, unemployment, destruction, poverty and scarcity as if they are robbed by an armed attacker. People who do not care for their health for years could face a disease that alters the course of their life. Christians who neglect biblical prescriptions could be led to severe doubts of their faith. It is easier to put things off until tomorrow but miss the best opportunity of and for your life. To ‘miss the mark or target’ is sin (Greek word hamartia). Figure 1 illustrates sin as a spiritual (root) cause of procrastination.

Researchers point out that procrastination is a glocal (global and local) phenomenon that can affect both organisational and individual productivity. Studies show that personality characteristics, self-efficacy, self-control, self-esteem, among others are motivational factors towards remedy of procrastination (Beutel et al. 2016:2). But procrastination continues to rob people of their personal and corporate potentials (inborn gifts and talents and learned skills) and productivity (effective and efficient delivery of services and goods) (Gupta et al. 2012:196; Niermann & Scheres 2014:412; Toker & Avcı 2015:1158). In this increasingly competitive ICT environment, students, scholars, employees, employers, families and ordinary citizens are expected to manage their time and perform their God-given tasks (Skowronski & Mirowska 2013:4; Wu 2010:26). Procrastination is apparently a part of a vicious cycle, which is imposing a common, yet serious problem that arises from lacking time management, increasing time pressure, working conditions, among others (Van Eerde 2003:421). It is not only apparently unavoidable and inevitable but also continually impacting individual, organisational and institutional productivity (Fee & Tangney 2000:167; Hajloo 2014:42; Kaur & Kaur 2011:36). In that regard, cognitive, affective and behavioural procrastination not only leads to a variety of negative outcomes, including poor performance because of half-done jobs, time-wasting, last-minute rushes or quantity and quality-compromised performance (Heward 2010:6) but also produces diverse negative effects, which include increased disappointment, stress, depression, anxiety, illness, interpersonal problems because of unfulfilled familial or social responsibilities and other related personal and organisational obligations (Cerino 2014:156; Mullen 2014:1; Sirois 2004:270).

The main philosophy behind the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is built on their agreement that ‘our sense of self is developed through relationship and that we maintain and perpetuate this sense of self through relationship’ (Charura & Paul 2014:87). The interpersonal quality within the therapeutic relationship is described as ‘an interactive process of reciprocal mutual influence’ (Stolorow & Atwood 1992:18). The encounter during therapy involves the here-and-now open space of interaction between the therapist and the client which involves the ‘interaction, enactment, spontaneity, mutuality, and authenticity’ (Mitchell 1997:IX). It is important to understand that the therapeutic relationship from the client’s perspective is the crucial ‘actor’ in the therapeutic process and influences their therapeutic experiences and goal (Ackerman & Hilsenroth 2003:28; Audet & Everall 2010:333; Nezu 2010:172; Victor & Nel 2016:1).

Piers Steel (2010b)’s equation (formula) on how to avoid procrastination by getting started (motivated) by maximising expectancy and value and minimising impulsiveness and delay is proposed: Motivation=expectancey×valueImpulsiveness×delay[Eqn 1]

Motivation is the will and ability to do the work. To get started, one should be motivated. It is the opposite of procrastination (the willingness to avoid it). To be motivated, maximise an expectancy and value and minimise impulsiveness and delay. Expectancy refers to how many results, rewards or successes are anticipated in doing the work. The more the expectation to succeed, the less the impulse to procrastinate. Value refers to how much doing a task is enjoyed and how much the expected results are desired. The more the work is enjoyed, and the expected results are desired, the less the impulse to procrastinate. The more the exposure to distractions, the more the tendency to procrastinate. Delay refers to the time lapse until the anticipated results, rewards or successes are received. The longer the time lapses or delay until the anticipated results, rewards and/or successes, the more likely the tendency to procrastinate. This formula is helpful in enabling people not only to acknowledge their preconceived beliefs ideas, fears and habits in procrastination but also to determine the reasons why they procrastinate, and formulate interventions and strategies to stop or minimise procrastinating and work effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals (results, rewards). To overcome or minimise procrastination, it is important to recognise, admit and confess the weakness, shortcomings, relapsing regarding procrastination as an open door or opportunity towards remedy, which will involve the steps discussed in the following sections.

Step 1 – Understanding your personality: Procrastination is considered an effective coping mechanism by many to reprioritise their unpredictable and demanding tasks, projects and work to meet frequently changing demands in a fast-changing environment (Chu & Choi 2005:245–246). There are two types of procrastinators, namely, active and passive procrastinators. It is important to understand the factors that influence both types of procrastinators (Gupta et al. 2012:196). Both types of procrastinators may procrastinate until the last 24 h or so, before the deadline (due date). In the parable mentioned in Matthews 21:28–32, the man asks both his sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first son said he would not, but later he changed his mind and did what his father asked. The second son said he would, but he did not (that is, he procrastinated). Both knew what is right (Jam.4:17; Lk.12:47-48; Heb.10:23ff). The difference between the passive and the active procrastinator is: Passive procrastinators not only delay the work to improve the quality of the performance and outcome but is motivated or energised to thrive under pressure with high expectation to produce of and value are high are called, active procrastinators. The procrastinator who not only delays the work out of fear of failure, but also panic, crumble or lose hope under pressure when the expectations are high and results and rewards are distant are called passive procrastinators. Active procrastination is neither harmful nor leads to negative consequences, when the procrastinator makes deliberately, purposefully and well-calculated decision to procrastinate and work under pressure, using and controlling time with a self-efficacy belief and coping styles to maximise both the performance and outcome (Chu & Choi 2005:247–248). Passive procrastination is because of indecision to act and fail to complete tasks on time because of fear of failure, which leads to panic, crumbles or hope lost under pressure of high expectations.

Step 2 – Optimising your environment: Be decisive in your work environment: it can help improve your productivity. Beware of technology, for example, using Internet and various forms of social media. Turn off your phone, put it to ‘do not disturb’ mode and put it out of sight and do not let yourself get on the web until you have completed the task. Avoid and remove your distractions or use the favourite distractions as rewards. Use rewards along the way, not just at the end of the week or term. To live a positive and fulfilling life, it is important for people not only to have introspective or self-regulatory measures which correct and guide their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors purposefully and avoiding failure (Fridén 2020:6f) and God’s word and Sprit offers guidance thereof (Heb.4:12f; Rom.8:16, 26f); but also know what makes life worth living and how to navigate through changes to accomplish their goals.

Step 3 – Break down your task into small pieces (or steps): Train mental capacity and thought process by visualising or imagining a successfully completed task (Prv. 12:15). This is a familiar motivating factor (Pr 21:25), known to the athletes, artists, book writers etc.: make an outline, identify each chapter, figure out the sections in the chapters and to fill in (Pr 21:25). How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. To reach the goal, break the tasks into smaller and more manageable parts.

Step 4 – Keep the time and daily schedule and calendar: Determine steps on how to reach the goal. Make a to-do list. Schedule it in your diary and/or calendar and prioritise tasks (meetings): what to start with (urgent). Set intervals of time like 5-min or 20-min working and 5-min or 10-min break (continual cycle). Get a reminder like an alarm or timers. Take immediate action and start right away (just do the work or project). It opens opportunities and time to do more and makes realisation of potentials more likely (Ec 8:6; Peper et al. 2014).