Lesson from the bible from, Proverbs 23v19: Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:
A habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively e.g. he had a habit of tapping his fingers. Therefore a habit is a recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behaviour that is acquired through frequent repetition.
A habit can be defined as:
A behaviour pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance.
An acquired mode of behaviour that has become nearly or completely involuntary e.g. I get up early from force of habit.
One word leap out from the last two sentences ‘Pattern’ a pattern can either be positive or negative it is the way in which we conduct ourselves and if we form positive patterns of behaviour others will follow e.g. controlling vs transformational leadership, (transformational leadership will be dealt with in another blog). In a lot of churches, in my experience have a controlling leader, in fact many people who follow a controlling leader in church or not are unaware they are being controlled nor are they aware that they are forming a habit that binds them to the leader. Fear and uncertainty follow them, they think they are doing good by following every word action of the leader when in fact step by step they are forming a controlling habit.
Think about this statement: “The chains of habit are too small to be felt, until they are too strong to be broken”.
In other words people follow a controlling leader and begin to lose who they are, they can’t do anything without permission this really is evident in some Pentecostal churches. Let me give you an example of something I observed and this is based on fact. If a person in a leadership position who has worked hard throughout the year and wants to go on holiday. Instead of booking it they go to the church leader telling them they are going away, however the church leader says no! we have a conference coming up and I want you here, go after. How astonishing that the person says ok, so what has happened here is a person who has a habit of indecision and who is passive and who brushes this off, tells themselves well the leader needs me!! No the leaders is extremely controlling, they don’t necessary care about you, they care about themselves.
What really happens in the example above is that others in the church begin to pattern their behaviour on the church leader we are not called to pattern ourselves after man, no! the bible tells us to:
“PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah)”. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP)
As believers we need to watch our thoughts, watch our words, watch our actions, watch our character in other words:
Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. watch your character; it becomes. Your destiny
In short we are not to conform to this world highlighted in, Romans 12:2 (AMP)Do not be conformed to this world (this age), but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
We are further tasked with removing bad habits as in, Galatians 5:19-21 (AMP)19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), 21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The challenge I have for you is to take one habit you want to change and engage with yourself to change one bad habit and replace it with a good habit over a period of 21 days. Why 21 days, simply it takes a chicken to break free of its shell and walk into a new world.
Read the following and challenge yourself to celebrate your good habits but change your bad habits
HABITS
If you develop the habits of winning you will make winning a habit. Habits can be Positive or Negative, habits can Make us or Break us, a habit can be either your Best Friend or Worst Enemy, an Asset or a Liability.
“Who am I …”
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward, or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half things you do, you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily manage; you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically I am the servant of all great people and alas of all failures as well.
Those who are great I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine, plus the intelligence of a human.
You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who am I? I am your HABIT!!!
How to change a bad habit:
Activity for you:
Challenge any self-sabotaging habits:- List your self-sabotaging habits in three areas:
Habits of thought (negative thoughts)
Habits of speech (negative self-talk)
Habits of action (routines/rituals)
Challenge any self-sabotaging habits
Why bother changing my self-destructive habits?
Choose one of your self-sabotaging habits and answer the following:
Identify all that is good about changing my habit:
Making this change would mean…………………………
Complete the sentence –
Ok, I hear you say but I don’t know my habits of thought, speech and action, don’t be concerned there is someone who can help you read;
Identify all that is bad about not making the change, not moving forward:
I hope by now you will see that the list for good vs bad habits will make you want to change. It is essential that you take one bad habit and make changes, that will have a positive impact on your life and your walk with our beloved Jesus.
John 14:26 (AMP) But the Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
Those in Christ come on and lets challenge our selves, in the next 30 days transform your thinking challenge and change a habit pattern yourself on Christ and not just look at the word but to put the word into action as highlighted in James 1:22 (AMP) But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves.
Make a habit of winning from today, we are chosen by Christ, not to conform to this world but to conform to Christ the Messiah, we are champions not door mats we are called to conquer not to walk in fear.
“Make winning a habit from today, this moment right now and watch the world change around you”.
Enjoy the journey of changing your habits and making winning a habit.
Removing Barriers Releasing Potential 
