(Rom 7:15) . . . what I hate, that I do.
Many of us have habits that we would like to change. Just think of life without the reaction to that sudden urge. Imagine how it would be if we weren’t controlled by our impulses. What would it be like if we could replace those bad habits with positive and healthy behaviors that would do us good and not bring pain? Well, there is hope from God’s Word so be encouraged!
People all over the world are controlled by their habits. Just think of the list: Overeating, drugs and alcohol, smoking, gambling, pornography, profanity, temper, overworking, overspending, procrastination, nervous habits, lying, poor driving habits, worrying, obsessing, addiction to media, and the list goes on.
What is a habit anyway? Webster says a habit is “. . . a pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition.” You did it once, you did it again, and then it became so ingrained in you that you didn’t even have to think about it before you did it . . . again . . . and again. People are not usually proud of their habits, but they feel hopeless to change. Reasons? They feel powerless over the habit or they reason that they’ve been doing it so long that it’s just an inevitable and permanent fixture of their life. They put up with the embarrassments. They hide it the best they can. The behavior used to be pleasurable at first but then it became addicting. Now they feel overcome and enslaved with no way out and no power to change. And with no way out they have made it a habit to accept a bad habit.
Does this in any way describe you? Then you need to know that there is a greater power than your habit or addiction: (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Pray and ask the Lord for help: (Luke 5:12-13) And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.
Only when you’ve done the above will you be able to replace a bad habit with a good one. (Col 3:9-10) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
Are you tired of making excuses? Are you ready to say YES to the good and NO to that which weighs you down? It takes a greater passion to overcome a great passion, or habit, in your life. Get into the Word and let the Word get into you. The best defense is a good offense! (1 John 2:14) . . . you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. (John 8:32) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:36) "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Louie
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