Does the Bible say anything about habits?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Everyone has habits—from the mundane, such as brushing your teeth at a certain time during the day; to the good, such as reading your Bible every day; to the bad, such as grumbling and complaining. Some of our habits are neutral, but some of our habits are sinful, like consistent complaining or lying or adultery. God tells us to stop those things that are sinful and to do those things that are godly. For example, we are not to be drunk but to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:15–18). We are not to be sexually immoral but should remember that our bodies belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:18–20). Understanding that our bodies are a temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit helps us with other habits as well. We should develop habits that help us glorify God in all we do.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs 15:21 contrasts the habits of foolishness versus wisdom and the resulting paths one takes.
• Proverbs 16:3 encourages the habit of dedicating our actions to God for success.
• Proverbs 25:28 reveals the necessity of developing self-control as a crucial habit for protection.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• First Thessalonians 5:16–22 offers several habits, disciplines, and attitudes to practice regularly: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
• God says we should be allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our minds (Romans 12:2) to stop habits that do not please God and to start those which do.
• One habit that will help us greatly is found in 2 Corinthians 10:5: "…take every thought captive to obey Christ." As we come to know God through His Word and engage with Him in prayer, our thoughts will more readily align with His. As our minds change, so, too, will our habits.
• When we join God's family, we have the opportunity to continually put on a new nature and shed the old (Colossians 3:9–10).
• Jesus said that to love Him, we must obey Him (John 14:23). Changing our habits to ones that glorify Him far outweighs the temporary pleasures of our sinful habits or living for ourselves.
• Changing our bad habits into good takes a certain amount of intentionality and willpower, but it is not something we ultimately do in our own strength. God transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17), and says He will help us (Philippians 1:6; 2:12–13; 4:13).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Habits play a significant role in shaping our lives and can either draw us closer to God or lead us astray. Even little habits accumulate and form patterns in our lives that either draw us closer to Him and help us love others or don’t. In today's fast-paced world, we must be intentional about cultivating habits that honor Him. By prioritizing these practices, we create a foundation that strengthens our faith and aligns our hearts with God's will. Recognizing the need to replace negative or sinful habits with godly ones calls us to reflect on our daily choices and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in letting Him transform us and our habits. Ultimately, our habits can serve as powerful testimonies of God's work in our lives, encouraging others to seek Him as well.

UNDERSTAND

• We all have habits, and the Bible urges us to replace sinful habits with godly ones through the Holy Spirit's power.
• Cultivating habits like prayer and gratitude is essential for glorifying God and avoiding ones that lead us astray.
• Intentionality and self-control in our choices shape our spiritual growth, either strengthening our faith or hindering it.

REFLECT

• What specific habits in your daily life draw you closer to God?
• How can you recognize sinful habits or habits that draw you away from God in yourself, and what steps can you take to replace them with godly ones?
• How does understanding that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit influence your choices and habits?

ENGAGE

• What is the connection between our habits and our character?
• How can we recognize patterns of behavior in our lives that either strengthen or weaken our faith, and how can we encourage one another to cultivate the ones that strengthen our faith and avoid or minimize the ones that hinder us?
• How can our habits serve as testimonies to others about God's work in our lives, and how can we share that journey with those around us?