The Problem of Overcoming Sinful Habits. To Define : – “ Custom or practice; especially an aptitude or inclination for some action, acquired by repetition.

The Problem ofOvercoming

SinfulHabits

The Problem of Overcoming Sinful Habits

• To Define:– “Custom or

practice; especially an aptitude or inclination for some action, acquired by repetition and showing itself in facility of performance or in decreased power of resistance.” Webster

INTRODUCTION

To cease smoking is the easiest thing I

ever did; I ought to know because I've

done it a thousand times.

Mark Twain

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”


INTRODUCTION

Are you allowing bad habits to rob you of your: Happiness? Health? Spiritual Growth? Spiritual Productivity? Confidence? Security?

Drug Addiction - Drinking Alcohol

– Pornography –Covetousness - Tobacco – Overeating -Cursing/SwearingLying/Gossip –Fault-Finding –Complaining –Worry –Wastefulness –Absenteeism -Tardiness -


INTRODUCTION

How to Break a Bad Habit

• Recognize and identify the problem!

Blindness to the need to stop a bad habit ensures the rejection of all pleas to stop Matthew 13:14,16; Revelation 3:17

Identify the cause, NOT just the symptoms--Matthew 15:12-19; 23:26

The sooner the better- 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:15

• Cultivate a STRONG desire to quit.

The desire to quit must be stronger than the desire to continue–– John 7:17; Romans 6:16-18

Requires proper and sufficient motivation– Prov. 1:7; Psa. 112:1; John 14:15; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 John 3:3; 5:4

People do what they REALLY want to do!!


• Cultivate hatred for the habit.

Too many have a lax view of sin and its consequences. We need to see sin as being black and hell as hot – Matt. 5:29,30

We MUST hate anything that prevents us from bearing fruit-- John 15:1-7; Psa. 119:104; Prov. 8:13; Romans 12:9


• Seek God’s help.

What is God’s will regarding sin in your life? Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:30-32

What temptation CANNOT be overcome with God’s help? Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Cor. 10:13

I can do ________ through Christ. Philippians 4:13


• Seek aid from your brethren.

Humility is needed in each of these steps, but one needs enough humility to seek support from other brethren – 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:1,2

The strong CANNOT force accountability on the weak – Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14


• Quit now. The sooner you act, the easier it is to quit – Eccl. 12:1; Prov. 22:6; 2 Cor. 6:2

If you were diagnosed with cancer when it was in its early, treatable stage, would you delay? What about sin, which is a far more serious problem?


Philippians 4:8“Finally, brethren,

whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever

things are just, whatever things are

pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good

report, if there is any virtue and if there is

anything praiseworthy--

meditate on these things.”

Our thoughts.

Replace Bad Habits With Good Ones!



Our thoughts.

Colossians 3:1-2

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is,

sitting at the right hand of God. Set

your mind on things above, not on things

on the earth.”


Romans 8:5,6

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the

things of the flesh, but those who live according to the

Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be

spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Our thoughts.



Psalm 119:11,97

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin

against You!”

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my

meditation all the day.”

Bible study.



Isaiah 34:16

"Search from the book of the LORD,

and read: Not one of these shall fail; not one shall lack her

mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.”

Bible study.



Acts 17:11

“These were more fair-minded than

those in Thessalonica, in that

they received the word with all

readiness, and searched the

Scriptures daily to find out whether

these things were so.”

Bible Study.



Luke 18:1 “Then He spoke a

parable to them, that men always ought to

pray and not lose heart.”

Colossians 4:2“Continue earnestly in

prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17“Pray without ceasing.”

Prayer.



Hebrews 10:24,25“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of

ourselves together, as is the manner of

some, but exhorting one another, and so

much the more as you see the Day

approaching.

Attendance.



Acts 8:4“Therefore those who were scattered went

everywhere preaching the word.”

1 Thessalonians 1:8“For from you the word of

the Lord has sounded forth, not only in

Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say

anything.”

Share your faith.



Ephesians 4:32“And be kind to one

another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, just as God in Christ forgave

you.”

Romans 12:10“Be kindly

affectionate to one another with

brotherly love, in honor giving

preference to one another.”

Do kind deeds.



Galatians 5:22“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness.”

1 Corinthians 13:4“Love suffers long

and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is

not puffed up.”

Do kind deeds.



Acts 11:23

“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he

was glad, and encouraged them

all that with purpose of heart

they should continue with the

Lord.”

Speak uplifting words to others.



1 Thessalonians 5:11“Therefore comfort

each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Hebrews 3:13“But exhort one

another daily, while it is called "Today," lest

any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Speak uplifting words to others.



Requires desire,

Commitment,

Proverbs 4:20-22“My son, give

attention to my words; incline your

ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart

from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health

to all their flesh.”

How to Develop a Good Habit


Requires desire,

Commitment, Diligence, Focus,

Proverbs 4:23-25“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out

of it spring the issues of life. Put away from

you a deceitful mouth, and put

perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes

look straight ahead, and your eyelids look

right before you.”



Requires desire,

Commitment, Diligence, Focus, Determinatio

n, Dedication, Action!

Proverbs 4:26-27“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways

be established. Do not turn to the

right or the left; remove your foot

from evil.”



“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”


REVIEW

Do you have sinful habits that you need to break? (Recognize your need)

The longer you continue in sin, the harder it is to stop. (Stop today; repent)

Cultivate a hatred for sin and for all that stands between spiritual growth and eternal reward, AND cultivate love for God, and for what is right and good! (Commit and start today)

Replace sinful habits with godly habits. (Take determined and decisive action)

Do you have sinful habits that you need to break? (Recognize your need)

The longer you continue in sin, the harder it is to stop. (Stop today; repent)

Cultivate a hatred for sin and for all that stands between spiritual growth and eternal reward, AND cultivate love for God, and for what is right and good! (Commit and start today)

Replace sinful habits with godly habits. (Take determined and decisive action)


Conclusion

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not

be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-

17

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not

be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-

17

Are you ready to stop your sinful habits?


Concluding Thoughts

The Problem of Overcoming Sinful Habits. To Define : – “ Custom or practice; especially an aptitude or inclination for some action, acquired by repetition.

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