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Breaking a Bad Habit

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

A bad habit often arises from learned behavior coming from wrong beliefs and attitudes. Early in life we can learn a habit that never really benefits us or others, yet we continue the habit. We continue doing the same thing and expect different results. If we are to break a bad habit, we must first realize we have a bad habit and have the desire to change it to a new Godly habit. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

The power to overcome a bad habit comes from the Holy Spirit, Christian fellowship, and Bible reading. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9) It’s the Spirit that enables the Godly habit, and the fellowship and Bible study keeps us in Godly wisdom. God changes our heart and our old learned behavior is gone and is replaced by the person God created us to be.

Overcoming a bad habit takes time for the Godly habit to become natural and for the old habit to become unnatural and uncomfortable. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) Although it can take months or years to completely overcome a lifelong sinful habit, the change to the new habit can be revealed in a short time, even though it might be driven by self-discipline and not from the heart. Now if the result of the Godly way is fruitful, it promotes the process of the heart change. However know that change can take time and it is necessary to replace the old with the new. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

If breaking the habit is more difficult than expected, seek fellowship with other Christians and support from a Christian friend. If you want to be a Godly person then spend time with Godly people. Pray every day for God’s help through the Holy Spirit, because change can be extremely difficult without the power of the indwelling power of God. Tackle the old habit with confidence, persistence, and patience.

Today seek to overcome any bad habit through prayer, self-discipline, and with confidence and persistence. Know you will overcome if you keep walking in the Spirit, replacing the old habit with the new Godly habit. Celebrate every victory no matter how small, because it rewards the new behavior.

Prayer: Lord, guide me to replace all bad habits with new Godly habits, replace anger with love and wisdom, replace fear with trust and confidence, and replace defensive behavior with a Godly wise response. Mold me today to be Christ-like in all my ways, reflecting Christ to everyone. Lord, I know you can change me to the person you created me to be. In Jesus name, Amen.