Habits: a Christian perspective

By Tope Banso
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 New King James Version).
According to researchers at the University College London, it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit. This varies from person to person and the behaviour in question. The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines a habit as a thing you do often and almost without thinking, especially something that is hard to stop doing.
Habits are formed through a regular repetition of a behavior until it becomes an established pattern of behaviour. You become what you practice. Your habits determine what you become. You can’t want to become something but cultivate contrary habits.
If your present habits are contrary to what you hope to become, change your habits and cultivate the habits compatible with what you desire to become. Have you seen a great athlete? He cultivated the habits that made that possible. Paul said, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 New King James Version).
Luke 5:16 says Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness for prayer. That was a great habit. On the other hand, the Pharisees had hypocritical prayer habits (Matthew 6:5). Jesus did many mighty works; none was credited to them! Luke 4:16 and Acts 17:2 record that Jesus and Paul had the custom or habit of going for services in the synagogue. Where do you go habitually? Evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).
What are you becoming? Jesus called Judas to be an apostle, but he eventually became a thief and a betrayer (John 12:6). It’s not what you claim to be that is important, but what you’re becoming, which is determined by your habits.
Jeremiah 13:23 says the people of Judah were accustomed to doing evil. In Jeremiah 22:21, the Bible says they had been disobedient from their youth. What are your habits? What are you becoming? Replace bad habits with Godly habits (Ephesians 4: 22-29; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
Don’t let sinful habits have dominion over you (Psalm 19:13). The starting point for you is to give your life to Jesus, if you haven’t. Admit that you’re a sinner and you can’t save yourself. Repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your heart. Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him for the power to live a new life in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You need a renewing of your mind, which is only possible through continuous exposure to God’s Word (Romans 12:2). Therefore, Join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church where you’ll be taught the Word of God. Read your Bible, daily and pray everyday. Whatever you behold, you become (2 Corinthians 3:18).
You may be a pastor, an entrepreneur, a politician or any other thing, but what are you becoming? Your habits determine what you eventually become.
PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to cultivate habits that will make me become all you want me to be.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at Cedar Ministry International, cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
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