Time Is A Thief

Time Is A Thief

Have you ever felt the pressure that "time is a thief," stealing your youth, opportunities, and possessions? This common, secular idea views time as an enemy. Yet, the Bible presents a radically different perspective: it sees time not as a destroyer, but as a divine creation and a fixed structure for human life.

To understand the biblical view, we need to look at two primary concepts of time used in Scripture:

1. Chronos: The Fixed Container

Chronos refers to chronological, measurable time—the seconds, minutes, days, and years that fill our calendars.

  • Fixed and Ordered: The creation accounts in Genesis establish chronos as a fixed structure, with the sun and moon created "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years" (Genesis 1:14).

  • The Frame of Life: Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, the famous "a time for everything" passage, is the ultimate scriptural view of chronos. It shows that life is governed by divinely appointed seasons ("a time to be born, a time to die," etc.). Time is the stable frame within which all human experience takes place.

2. Kairos: The Appointed Moment

Kairos refers not to the duration of time, but to the opportune moment, a specific season, or a divinely appointed moment in history—a fulfillment, a crisis, or a moment of destiny.

  • God's Purpose: The New Testament uses kairos to denote a moment of spiritual opportunity or the fulfillment of prophecy. For instance, Mark 1:15 states: "The time [kairos] is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand."

  • Our Stewardship: Since we live within God's kairos (His purposeful season), our challenge is to steward our chronos wisely. The Bible commands believers to be intentional with this precious resource.

From Regret to Redemption

The secular despair of "time is a thief" is rooted in focusing on loss and the decay of human effort (hebel, or futility, in Ecclesiastes). The Biblical perspective, however, centers on stewardship and purpose.

  • Theme

    • “Time is a Thief" (Secular View)

    • Biblical View (Sovereign Time)

  • Source

    • Secular: External, destructive force; an enemy.

    • Biblical: Internal, purpose structure created and controlled by God

  • Focus

    • Secular: Loss, Regret, Decline

    • Biblical: Sovereign Time: Wisdom, Stewardship, Purpose

Take Action:

Redeem your Chronos: Look at your calendar for the coming week and identify one activity you currently fill with wasted time (like mindless scrolling)