Is Being Late A Sin?

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April_Rose

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.
 
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Ferris Bueller

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.
Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'. IOW, don't make oaths, because your word is to be like an oath. When you say you're going to be someplace at 11:00 you should be there at 11:00, because that's what you said. But you're on the right track. It's just plain impolite and hurtful to others to be late.
 

amadeus

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.
"When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee" Deut. 23:21-22

The key is a "Vow unto the LORD". Promises to men are important as our friend @Ferris Bueller indicated making reference to what Jesus said. If you tell a person you are going to do something, you should strive to do it.

"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matt 5:37

Is it a sin if you fail to do it without good cause? Is it ever possible to sin against a person? Yes, but don't try to codify the NT or the words of Jesus...
 

dev553344

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.

I think it's covered under slothful. If you cause others to be slothful it could be a sin. If their servants of God and your keeping them from their service.

But it can be perceived as a lack of care and concern for someone else and their duties in life.
 
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marks

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.

My wife is consistently late. She would give most anything to be able to change that. OCD and ADHD make that extremely difficult for her. I know that many people over the years have faulted her for "not valuing promptness", or
not trying hard enough", like that, but I see what's behind the scenes, and it's not that way.

For me, what the Bible says about being late, Forgiving others as you have been forgiven.

Much love!
 

dev553344

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My wife is consistently late. She would give most anything to be able to change that. OCD and ADHD make that extremely difficult for her. I know that many people over the years have faulted her for "not valuing promptness", or
not trying hard enough", like that, but I see what's behind the scenes, and it's not that way.

For me, what the Bible says about being late, Forgiving others as you have been forgiven.

Much love!

When I don't take my medications I can't even fill out paperwork because my mind is off doing other things that I can't focus. So I think I understand what your saying.
 

April_Rose

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What would common sense suggest?




I'm not so sure that this is a common sense and black and white question. Sure it's rude and impolite but whether or not it's truly defined as a sin is a little difficult to say. At least for me. The thing is that I always try to be on time for things when I'm dependent on others for something, but there have been a few times where something has come up so then I apologize to that person and explain why I'm running late and usually it's ahead of time if I can get ahold of them on time. I don't like waiting on others so I don't want others waiting for me. It's more of common courtesy than common sense to me.
 

Mayflower

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This is a big "ouch" subject for me. LOL

Organization too...

But I agree it reflects more a condition of the heart. Distracted/not focused/tend to worry.

I've had a lot harder time managing with two kids. I did pretty good before kids. Never had a hard time with school/books. Life stuff seems harder for me.

But I break appointments a lot. I am glad I am forgiven , but their are consequences to being late/missing things
 

Amazed@grace

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I'm just wondering because I don't think the Bible says anything about the matter, but I know that it isn't nice or convenient to make others wait for you.
We can imagine just about anything to be a sin, don't you think?
Those who are in Christ are a new creation. We are no longer that "sinner who sins."

Punctuality may be an issue you need to work on. Respect for your time and others as well.

No Christian should fear hell for being late to something or other.
I'd say, work on living the peace that is Christ. Worry less about disappointing him.

Maybe set an alarm to go off well before you're expected to leave to be somewhere.
That can maybe get you into the habit of being on time.
Worked for me many moons ago. :)
 

BloodBought 1953

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We can imagine just about anything to be a sin, don't you think?
Those who are in Christ are a new creation. We are no longer that "sinner who sins."

Punctuality may be an issue you need to work on. Respect for your time and others as well.

No Christian should fear hell for being late to something or other.
I'd say, work on living the peace that is Christ. Worry less about disappointing him.

Maybe set an alarm to go off well before you're expected to leave to be somewhere.
That can maybe get you into the habit of being on time.
Worked for me many moons ago. :)


“ Just about everything’s a Sin, Marge”.....Reverend Lovejoy Of Simpson’s Fame....
 

Daniel Veler

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"When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee" Deut. 23:21-22

The key is a "Vow unto the LORD". Promises to men are important as our friend @Ferris Bueller indicated making reference to what Jesus said. If you tell a person you are going to do something, you should strive to do it.

"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matt 5:37

Is it a sin if you fail to do it without good cause? Is it ever possible to sin against a person? Yes, but don't try to codify the NT or the words of Jesus...

the closer one walks with the Lord the more humble that person is.
 

JohnDB

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vc22p7xp.jpg


You know it's wrong otherwise you wouldn't be asking.

But sometimes it's unavoidable.

But usually it's a sin of negligence.
 
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amadeus

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This is a big "ouch" subject for me. LOL

Organization too...

But I agree it reflects more a condition of the heart. Distracted/not focused/tend to worry.

I've had a lot harder time managing with two kids. I did pretty good before kids. Never had a hard time with school/books. Life stuff seems harder for me.

But I break appointments a lot. I am glad I am forgiven , but their are consequences to being late/missing things
Being late regularly is not the worst thing in the world, but people are watching you, sometimes people who are new to the Lord or people who have looked at you in awe or respect because they have seen something good in you from God.

It is not an easy thing to change as being late can become a habit. Just remember the other guy who is depending on you to do it right and to be there... Does it even look evil to him as he observes your lateness?

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thess 5:22

We serve God rather than that man observing, but God is also watching to see how much we really care about others.

When I moved with my family to Oklahoma from Wyoming in 1987, it was a dear sister in Christ who showed us a place to meet with God's people. Her and her husband rarely missed services but they were always late. They arrived with their three children when service was well underway and in spite of their efforts to settle in quietly it was always disruptive. Both of them, wife and husband, did love God and were always talking to people about God outside of church... but people were also frequently talking about their habitual lateness. I only mention this so that you might consider making an effort. We cannot please everyone all of the time, but we should do the best that we can. God will help us, will He not?

Give God the glory!
 
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Daniel Veler

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You know it's wrong otherwise you wouldn't be asking.

But sometimes it's unavoidable.

But usually it's a sin of negligence.

paul realized the when he desired to do good evil was present. When he desired to do evil good was present. The lost don’t wrestle with these things but the righteous do.
 

ChristisGod

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If being late was “ ok “ then you would not get fired from your job for being tardy/ late. In my line of work the 3rd time is termination.

So if it’s wrong and disrespectful for your employer then by all means it’s a sin.

hope this helps !!!
 
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