I’m Just Minding My Business PART III: HEALING MY HABITS
Romans 7:14-25 (NKJV) 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
I. Why are Habits Hard to Break
A. What are Habits?
II. THE ENEMY DESIRES TO KEEP YOU IN BONDAGE
A. What Is Bondage?
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
Acts 8:23
For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
Romans 6:15-16
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
B. God Breaks The Chains Of Bondage
Ephesians 4:22–24
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
III. FIVE REASONS WHY IT IS NECESSARY TO FORM GOOD HABITS
A. HABITS ARE WHAT YOU DO BUT SHAPE WHO YOU ARE
Mark 7:20-23
And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Proverbs 4:20-27
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
B. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR HABITS
Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?
Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
C. GOOD HABITS ALLOW YOU TO REACH YOUR GOALS
Proverbs 25:1-6
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. 5 A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
D. HABITS SET A FOUNDATION FOR A BLESSED LIFE
E. HABITS CAN REPLACE MOTIVATION
IV. HOW TO CHOOSE CONSISTENCY FOR VICTORY
A. MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO DO IT
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
B. EMPHASIZE AND EXERCISE