Eliminate the Moment

6 Days

Day 3

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It’s time to take action for day three of “How to Kill a Bad Habit.”

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray that you may not ENTER into temptation. Most of us go through our days watching everything around us, never turning our eyes onto ourselves to measure how we are being affected by our atmosphere. But this is precisely what Jesus is calling us to do. The best weapon against succumbing to temptation is to plot a course around that temptation.

Summary

“Be the architect of your environment—not the victim of it.”

There are cues in your environment that kickstart a craving. We don’t want something until we see it.

One of the best ways we can fight against our habits is by eliminating the moment. Don’t linger in dangerously isolated positions and reposition yourself where victory is much more likely.

Get radical about changing your environment to stop the temptation.

“So many of us shame ourselves for lack of willpower when really what we need is forethought.”

Now that we know the habit we want to kill, how do we position ourselves to do so? How do we get radical about eliminating the moments that put us in a place where victory is unlikely?

What's next?

How can you change your environment to eliminate the source of temptation from spaces you’re most vulnerable? Change will only happen when you take action.

This could be as simple as moving your phone to a different room while you sleep, or you may need to consider a friendship that is pulling you towards a lifestyle that doesn't align with your beliefs.
Be honest about what you need to do today, and then take the first step towards it. It may be scary, but it will be worthwhile.

Scripture References

31Jesus answered them,

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

47For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.