How To Kill A Bad Habit

6 Days

What Will This Bad Habit Cost Me?

Day 4

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Welcome to day four of “How to Kill a Bad Habit.” While we’ve explored the anatomy of a habit, where it comes from, how it draws us in, and what we can do to avoid it; it’s time to arm ourselves with what we need to survive if we find ourselves face to face with it. After all, temptation is a clever enemy, and sooner or later, we will all end up in a position where we need to overcome it.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:14-15

“Paddling Downstream” is a powerful tool that Ben Stuart introduces us to today. When faced with the lure towards something not of God, we can imagine all of the results of choosing poorly.

How do we learn to pause and measure the repercussions of our actions before we even take them? Let’s find out together.

Summary

As we gear up to actually take action and confront our bad habits, We are challenged to consider all of the negative outcomes of engaging in a particular behavior before actually engaging in that particular behavior.

It’s another simple question we can ask ourselves that can have life-changing results:

“What will this habit cost me?”

Before you engage in temptation, look at the destruction it may cause you later in life. When you compare the consequences of the action to the benefit of not performing that action, the allure begins to lessen. Remember, “sin loses its allure in the cold light of day.”

What's next?

Make a list of the negative outcomes that may follow the bad habits you desire to break by asking yourself honest questions. This isn't an exercise in fear or shame, rather it is meant to help you, in wisdom, realize that your actions today carry consequences tomorrow; both good and bad. The beautiful thing here is that James 1:5 tells us that all who ask for an increase in wisdom will be granted it, so bring this list to your heavenly father today and ask Him to reveal the true repercussions of your actions. Allowing you to change your behavior before you cause significant damage is a wonderful mercy from God.

“What would this habit cost me if I went through with it?”
“What will it cost my relationships?”
“What is it keeping me from doing that I want to do?”

Scripture References

31.Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32.I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

5.Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6.Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

13.When 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.

47.For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you13:47 The Greek is singular. a light for the Gentiles, that you13:47 The Greek is singular. may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’13:47 Isaiah 49:6”48.When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

20.We 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. 21.God made him who had no sin to be sin5:21 Or be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19. whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3.because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5.If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

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

14.but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16.Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17.Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

17.Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18.He 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.