Controling Habits and the Habit of Controling
Ga. 5:1,2
1 ¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)
1 Estad, pues, firmes en la libertad con que Cristo nos hizo libres; y no os sujetéis de nuevo al yugo de esclavitud. (RVG04)
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (KJV)
2 He aquí, yo Pablo os digo que si os circuncidáis, de nada os aprovechará Cristo. (RVG04)
2 P 2:19
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (KJV)
19 prometiéndoles libertad, siendo ellos mismos esclavos de corrupción. Porque el que es vencido de alguno, es hecho esclavo de aquel que lo venció. (RVG04)
Types of People:
1. Spectator---just there to observe.
2. Anticipator---expecting something positive, but not doing anything about it.
3. Participator---getting involved personally to make things happen
4. Dictator---making things happen your way at the expense of others.
Where do fit into that selection?
Romans 7:15
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (KJV)
15 Porque lo que hago, no lo entiendo, pues no hago lo que quiero; sino lo que aborrezco, aquello hago. (RVG04)
Bad habits are those things that we really don't like; we know that they are detrimental to us, but they have a hold on us.
Some bad habits fall into these categories:
1. Procrastination
2. Overeating
3. Laziness
4. Overspending
5. Lack of Cleanliness
6. Self-centeredness
7. Lack of communication
8. Irresponsible
9. Addictions
10. Temperments/Moods
Some of our habits are obvious, others are disguised, and some of us may be completely oblivious to our own bad habit; but most likely it is a glaring monster to those around you.
Practical Helps
A. Be Honest about It
Don't go into denial about it.
Confession is good for the soul.
Ro. 12:3
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)
3 Digo, pues, por la gracia que me ha sido dada, a cada cual que está entre vosotros, que no tenga más alto concepto de sí, que el que debe tener, sino que piense de sí con mesura, conforme a la medida de la fe que Dios repartió a cada uno. (RVG04)
B. Find someone to be responsible to.
Ga. 6:2
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (KJV)
2 Sobrellevad los unos las cargas de los otros, y cumplid así la ley de Cristo. (RVG04)
C. Identify the Root of the bad habit.
D. Understand the need to remove the bad habit completely.
Bad habits may be committed consciously or without any idea that one is doing them. Nevertheless, they are habits that need to be dealt with for one to grow and mature in all areas of his or her life.
Bad habits are those things that you do (or don't do) that have negative reprecussions in one or more of the following areas:
1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Emotional
4. Relational
5. Spiritual
God made us, sees us, and knows all about our shortcomings. Give it all up to Him and ask Him to help you overcome in these areas of your life.
Barring a miracle, habits are usually broken, in the same way they were formed----a little at a time.
THE POWER OF A BAD HABIT
1. They bind you slowly, but surely.
Very few people started smoking a pack of cigarrettes a day from their first smoke.
2. An undeterred bad habit is a sign of lack of self-control. It is a work of the flesh and opposed to the work of the Spirit.
3. A bad habit will take control of your person and limit you if not consume you.
BREAKING THE BAD HABIT(S)
You cannot do it alone. You need God and in many cases you need the people of God.
Phil. 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)
13 Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece. (RVG04)
Heb. 10:22
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (KJV)
22 acerquémonos con corazón sincero, en plena certidumbre de fe, purificados los corazones de mala conciencia, y lavados los cuerpos con agua pura. (RVG04)
Accept the Challenge One day at a Time
Mt. 6:11
11 Give us this day our daily bread. (KJV)
11 El pan nuestro de cada día, dánoslo hoy. (RVG04)
ELIMINATE THE HABIT COMPLETELY
Fruit----the apparent negative effect upon ourselves and others.
Shoot--the thing that feeds the problem
Root---the base of the problem, ususally underground and hidden from view.
ACQUIRING NEW AND HOLY HABITS
Eph. 4:21-24
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (KJV)
21 si es que le habéis oído, y habéis sido por Él enseñados de cómo la verdad está en Jesús. (RVG04)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (KJV)
22 En cuanto a la pasada manera de vivir, despojaos del viejo hombre, que está viciado conforme a los deseos engañosos; (RVG04)
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (KJV)
23 y renovaos en el espíritu de vuestra mente, (RVG04)
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV)
24 y vestíos del nuevo hombre, que es creado según Dios, en justicia y en santidad verdadera. (RVG04)
AA and other programs have less than a 5% success rate, because they do not give the addicts something to replace their vice.
Leave off the old, put on the new.
Ideas: Replace the cigarette craving with memory verses; instead of buying that lottery ticket, give a love offering to someone in your way.
THE HABIT OF CONTROLING
In 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea. Hundreds died in the icy waters. It was not a mechanical problem or a radar problem. The problem was two stubborn, proud capitans who were not willing to veer their ships out of the course of the other. Each one was determined to prove that they controlled the situation. In the end, a horrible tragedy took place that was irreversible.
Our highest calling is to be a servant of Jesus Christ.
Ga. 5:13
13 ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (KJV)
13 Porque vosotros, hermanos, a libertad habéis sido llamados; solamente que no uséis la libertad como ocasión para la carne, sino por amor servíos los unos a los otros. (RVG04)
Man loves power. We feel important and strong when we can lord over others. One of the greatest tests of leadership is to serve with authority, but at the same time, not become controling and manipulative with our brethren.
God gives the increase and also gives us favor with others. The challenge is to appreciate the privilege without abusing the people.
Families, churches, and governments have risen and fallen due to many who had a dictator spirit.
Ro. 8:13,14
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (KJV)
13 Porque si vivís conforme a la carne, moriréis, mas si por el Espíritu hacéis morir las obras de la carne, viviréis. (RVG04)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)
14 Porque todos los que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, los tales son hijos de Dios. (RVG04)
