Overcoming Sin through Christ
A Comprehensive List of Sins
(Alphabetically Arranged)
Richard Hollerman
The plan of this study is simple. We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically. We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry. Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.
Procrastination
This is a favorite sin of many people, and it may actually be a sin that people feel no regret in having committed it. To procrastinate means “to put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. . . . to postpone or delay needlessly.”[1][1] It means “to defer action; delay; to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost. . . . to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.”[2][2] Someone jokingly stated, “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow!” Some people do reluctantly admit that they have “a problem with procrastination,” but they seem to just think it is a “weakness” of their character rather than recognize it as a sinful act and pattern.
Indeed, sometimes there is no problem with putting off until tomorrow what we had planned for today. It may be the wisest choice to make. If it is raining today, we can safely put off until tomorrow or later a job that requires working outside. Or if we had planned to complete a job in the house, it may not be wrong to postpone it until next week or next month if there are other, more important, tasks to get done. But if something should be done immediately and we procrastinate until later, this may indicate a lazy attitude, an indifferent spirit, or a careless outlook.
For instance, Paul had “planned” to visit Rome but had been “prevented” from carrying out his plans (Romans 1:13). Maybe he just put off the trip in light of other responsibilities or opportunities to preach the gospel (he was located at Corinth at the time, actively involved in God’s work, and planning to collect funds to carry them to Jerusalem). Putting off until tomorrow some important job isn’t necessarily wrong—unless there is no good reason to put it off and unless it arises from a careless and apathetic attitude.
On another occasion, Paul wrote that he was “all the more eager with great desire” to see the believers at Thessalonica, but he explained, “We wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). The reason why he didn’t visit these saints was not that he procrastinated, but Satan hindered him in some way.
But we do need to actively do what we can do and should do. Paul writes, “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). If we value time, we will generally want to fulfill our time commitments and not delay them. If we need to arrive for an appointment at 10 AM, let’s not procrastinate and then arrive at 10:15 AM. If we need to be at a location at 3 PM, let’s not procrastinate and then arrive at 3:20 PM.
If we have an essay to write, let’s not procrastinate until the last moment and then end up doing an inferior job with the project. If we are given a task to do by our boss, let’s consider it important and do it in a timely way rather than keep putting it off for a better day. This would show an irresponsible attitude and a “sluggish” demeanor. Paul says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23).
[1][1] The American Heritage College Dictionary.
[2][2] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.