If you have great eyesight and can speed read, you may be able to examine the notice along the bottom of a TV screen when the latest medication is advertised: Use of this product may be habit-forming. The label of a prescription or OTC drug may have the same admonition. Certain national drive-through food chains use the same warning tongue-in-cheek, as though eating their fare will cause a person to crave their offerings and develop a must-have habit (to their CFO’s delight and perhaps our diet’s demise).
The Oxford English Dictionary defines habit as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” When we think of habits, we often first think of bad ones, including smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
Yet habits can range from godly and principled routines, to harmless affectations, selfish undertakings, and even full-frontal sin.
- Brushing your teeth after meals and before bedtime.
- Regular exercise.
- Eating lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Drinking lots of water and restricting sugary beverages.
- Regular and ongoing prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Reading/studying our Bibles every day (Psalm 19:7-8).
- Obeying God’s Word (Deuteronomy 27:10).
- Meeting regularly with the church to worship God (Hebrews 10:25).
- Being hospitable (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9).
- Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
- Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
- Regular confession of sins (1 John 1:9).
- Sharing the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
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1. Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
As those who belong to Christ, we need to pray about every lifestyle choice we make. It may seem redundant, but the Bible is replete with the command (and example) to pray. Why would we eschew asking our Father for help?
2. Study and Follow Christ’s Examples
When you consider Jesus’ actions throughout the Gospels, you’ll not miss how He consistently prayed (e.g., Mark 1:35).
Jesus listened well (Luke 8:18). When you prepare for a healthy Christian habit, it behooves you to study the Master.
Jesus also asked great questions, and those He asked most often led to a person’s introspection about Him and about themselves (see Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:15, Mark 9:24, and John 6:66-67).
Finally, Jesus took time for a fun festivity in Cana, even while not neglecting nor forgetting His main purpose – to bring glory to God (John 2:1-12). We can do the same.
3. Consider Certain Biblical Commands as Habits
Jesus told His disciples (and therefore, us), “And when you pray…” (Luke 11:2). He did not make a conditional statement using the word if; He gave a command by His use of when.
- Don’t think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). Humility is a key component of healthy habit building.
- Think about how you can stir other Christians up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Any habit that does not edify others or glorify the Lord is not one to begin or continue.
- Stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). Your healthy Christian habit may not sit well with others who don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t let their disapproval hinder you; instead, use the opportunity to share the why of your habit — your love for and obedience to our Savior.
4. Place the Elements of Your Godly Habit within Daily Eyesight
If your plan is to read the Bible every morning, make sure it’s right where you need it to be. If you plan to read through a certain number of commentaries or Christian living books, clear a shelf and line them up in the order you plan to read through them. Prayer walks may be the habit you’d like to start. If so, gather all your needs (walking shoes, bug spray, etc.) and place them in a regular spot.
5. Study and Implement the Habits of the Apostles
Once again, we see prayer is a hallmark of healthy Christian habits. Paul’s epistles usually start and end with a prayer. Christ’s disciples followed Him. Through the Bible, we can follow Jesus and the Apostles. Take time to read through and note what habits each developed and sustained. (For example, Paul expressed so much via letters.)
6. Prioritize Fellowship with Godly Brothers and Sisters
We read earlier the Bible commands regular fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). We love on each other and we share our lives. Conversations about what we are doing brings encouragement and perhaps even ideas for other healthy Christian habits.
7. Join Others Who Seek to Build the Same Types of Habits
Just as regular general fellowship helps build healthy churches, so too, like-minded healthy habit builders can grow together. Accountability partners can come out of smaller groups and can share encouragement and tips.
8. Journal the Journey Toward Your Healthy Christian Habit
Looking back at our beginnings and forward to our goals helps motivate us to continue, firm in our resolution to not only build but sustain healthy Christian habits.
9. Engage in Regular “Think Time”
10. Thank God for Life in Christ and the Opportunity to Develop Godly Habits
Isn’t it wonderful to live a life of freedom in Christ? Even our habits are chances to be ambassadors for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20).
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
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