Have you ever wondered why it’s difficult to overcome habits, even as Believers? It’s because habits in themselves are not easy to overcome. Research has shown that it takes 21 days of consistency to build a habit. So, sometimes it’s not something you can overcome in hours, a day or even a week. Let’s examine four practical and consistent ways to overcome habits.
Here are 4 practical ways to overcome habits:
1. Replace them
To overcome habits and get better, you must replace bad habits with good ones and be intentional about it. In Matthew 13:44-45, we have an example of a merchant seeking for pearls and when he found the greater one, he sold all the ones he had to get this greater one and he did this joyfully. Habits die when you replace them with something better.
2. Don’t be idle
A popular quote says, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ and it is true. You must find something to do so you don’t allow boredom lead you into the habit you are trying to break free of. Being idle isn’t God’s plan for man. In Hebrews 12:1, we are instructed to lay aside every weight and RUN. Don’t be idle, get to work!
3. Good examples
To overcome habits, you need to find people whose example you can emulate. People whose lives challenge you to do better. They may be people you know personally or other believers from your church family. When you have people whose lives challenges you to be better, it shows you that it’s possible to overcome that habit. Likewise, it helps you become more intentional about doing well.
4. Have a compelling dream
It is very important as believers to discover purpose and walk in it. Finding purpose is the most important way to overcome habits. As a believer, your purpose is to know Christ and to make him known to everyone. If your main goal is just to stop sinning, you are missing it. Galatians 5:16 teaches us that walking in the spirit is the surest way to avoid walking in the flesh. By walking in the spirit, your fleshly urges and desires give way to the desires of the spirit. This is how you lose interest in habits that don’t please God.
This blog post is inspired by a sermon on overcoming habits by Apostle Emmanuel Iren. You can listen to the full sermon here.
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