Defending Your Family - Lesson 12 - Delay a Decision

Procrastination – The Whisper Of Satan

The lesson of Munich was: When it is necessary to confront an expansionist dictator, sooner is better than later. As Douglas MacArthur said, in war all tragedy can be summarized in two words, "too late." Too late perceiving, too late preparing for danger.

George Will, August 5, 1990.


We are in a war
Let’s read what it says on the front cover of our books:

There is an artful and malignant spirit that is directly opposed to us. Our enemy has many devices for injuring the cause of Christ and driving a wedge into our family. If we disbelieve his existence, if we do not oppose his influence, or are ignorant of his devices, we are not qualified to discharge our duties as ministers of Christ to our family.

Psalm 90.12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

We need to be careful then,
how we live –
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity.

Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”


We need to seize every opportunity.
Do not let any moment slip away.
We have little control over our time,
but all control over how we act and react to each moment.

The abuse of time,
putting it off,
not making the most of our opportunities,
procrastination, has no place in the life of a Christian.
Procrastination blinds us to the opportune moments of life.


Why do we put off what we know is right?
Because Satan Whispers....


You Have Plenty Of Time.

I wonder how often I have regretted listening to this whisper.
I told you before the story of Jim Kelly
We had over an hour together alone one evening.
I thought I should tell him about Jesus.
The whisper told me I can just plant seeds
In a relationship today…
He was in hell the next morning

Lu 9:59-61, “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.”

What excuse have you given the Lord for delaying?





We may not have plenty of time to
visit with mom, dad,
the children, to say I love you.

Satan whispers you have plenty of time…
To encourage…
To be a better spouse…

You have plenty of time…
To do some good work…
To serve others…
To obey God…


Number your days.
Be careful how you live...
make the most of every opportunity.
Do not let any precious moments slip away.


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.”

I think we should all memorize this verse for when we desire turning back…





Satan Whispers … You Need The Rest.

Laziness
Satan whispers this so often,
and we fall for it every time
whether we've been working hard or not.

Selfishness and egotism
gives us this opportunity passing rationalization.
But the bottom line is, we're lazy!


Psalm 119:60, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”

Are you lazy at times?





Satan Whispers … It Is Not That Important.

Serving others,
foot washing is not important enough
for my attention.

Satan whispers don't involve yourself in menial tasks!
You are too talented for such things.
Your energy must be reserved for the big opportunities.
You are executive material.

We must not allow the world to force us into its mold.
What does Jesus say …


Luke 22:26, “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

It’s hard serving others …
What is your advice here?





Satan Whispers … You're Having Too Much Fun To Stop

How many things do we put off,
Or leave undone,
simply because we don't want to stop
doing what we are doing?

We intend to change.
We intend to obey the gospel.
We intend to be a better parent,
stop drinking,
stop our pursuit of materialism,.

We intend to start visiting the sick,
be more evangelistic,
transform our life into the image of Jesus...
but not yet!

Change me Lord –
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

Every day of delay leaves a day more to repent of and a day less to repent in. –Mason

Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Are there any changes you want to make in your life in this area?





Satan Whispers You Might Fail.

Our focus is on success.
This false value keeps many from being
who God wants them to be.

• The Prodigal failed as a son.
• Abraham and Sarah failed in faith.
• David failed as a father.
• Peter failed as a friend.
• John Mark failed as a missionary.

I have failed.
You will fail.
Don't be afraid of failure.
We are all failures saved by grace.

I have a poster that says,
“If you want to increase your successes,
you have to increase your failures.”

Procrastination robs us of life's joy.
Procrastination can cause the loss of our soul!
Procrastination ruptures relationships.
Procrastination results in sorrow and regret.

Procrastination is sin.

We must know that whether we number our days or not,
our days are numbered.
Each beat of our heart is a muffled drum –
as we march in cadence toward eternity.
Redeem the time.
Number your days.
Now is the acceptable time.


Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. -Franklin

Acts 17:32, “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”

That is what the unbeliever says to the gospel.
Isn’t that a little what we act like when the Holy Spirit convicts us?





James 4:13-14, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Time is running out…
If the doctor told you, you had a limited amount of time on this planet
What would you do?





Procrastination is the thief of time. It steals away our life. And if we knew the hour of our death, we should be no more prepared for it than we are now. -Spurgeon


next chapter

back to index