ATOMIC HABITS
Ephesians 4:17-24
January 12, 2025
Do you know what this past Friday was? It was
QUITTER FRIDAY!
That’s right, quitter Friday. Analysts have determined that on this day is when most people give up on their goals and resolutions for the new year. How about you, are you still on track with your 2025 goals?
You see, too often we don’t make goals and resolutions because we know ourselves, we’re not going to follow through. Since it’s frustrating to give up, why make goals, if I’m only going to be depressed that I can’t follow through. You know what I mean?
But does that have to be our reality? I don’t think so. In fact, let me be a bit firmer, I am certain you can meet your goals. But most of the time, it’s not in the goal setting, it’s in the execution.
How do we say YES I can do this and believe you will succeed? Last week, Eric mentioned the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. Personally, its one of the best books I’ve read. It’s so basic, you think you could have written it.
The premise of the book is taking these small steps, like small atoms, to make significant changes in our lives which become powerful. As you put atoms together, they become more powerful, and when we take those small steps with our habits, we can accomplish amazing things too. We do it in the power of God.
I’ll talk more about the book in a moment, but here’s what I want to talk about.
We set goals and use a system called SMART. Eric talked about them and outlined what the SMART system is. And, it’s a great system, one which I’ve used many times and advocate. SMART is an acronym how we make our goals. They are are - - - -
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time Sensitive
And that’s a great way to approach your goals. Let me give you a couple of examples.
If you want to read the Bible, follow the Bible reading plan where you read 3-5 chapters per day, that’s specific, measurable, attainable, it’s realistic and it has a time component. So, it’s a good goal.
It’s like dieting and exercising. You can’t simply say you’re going to lose 20 pounds by the end of the month. That’s not going to work. That’s not realistic.
Even saying you’re going to lose weight, isn’t realistic, because it’s not specific or measurable. In fact, it’ not realistic because of that.
But let me tell you, if you’re trying to read the Bible this year, that’s great, but there’s more to it. In order to be successful, you need more than the goal. You need a system.
I know!! I know!! It’s aggravating. You need to make plans and have systems just to meet your stinking goals. It’s more work than you want, but if you don’t, then you’re always going to be stuck and frustrated that you can’t meet your goals.
So, what does that mean? A system means you have a definite plan - - - - and most people don’t have that. Many of us say, ‘I’ll try to make time to read the Bible or I’ll figure it out when it comes to exercise of eating, or whatever it might be.’
But that’s setting us up for failure. The system is what undergirds the goals. The system is your plan. It’s saying “I’m going to read the Bible in the morning with my first cup of coffee.
I’m going to wake up 20 minutes earlier and sit in a certain chair. Remember, when I asked you last year, do you have your space to worship God privately?
That’s setting up a system so you don’t celebrate quitter’s day. And if you set up a system, if you have a plan, you can use that to draw closer to God as well.
As we get into the scripture, the point James Clear was making in Atomic Habits is that we try to become 1% better each day. Don’t jump for 20%, just 1%. Can you learn from yesterday, so you can do better today, and keep that going tomorrow.
Can you seek to draw closer to God, a little more today, and a little more tomorrow, and then a bit more on the next day. It’s not obsessing about it. It’s being intentional.
The math is really interesting. And I love math! It was my favorite subject. What would a 1% increase look like and what would a 1 % decrease look like?
Look at these charts - - - -
CHART
If you improve 1% per day, that growth is compounded, because it’s growth on top of growth. And you will increase from the base of 1 to 37. That’s 37 times growth.
The problem is that we don’t see the small changes immediately, so it becomes easier to give up on the habits or goals we want to change. But at the end of the year, the growth is noticeable. We’ll talk more about that in 2 weeks.
Conversely, if we give up and decrease 1%, we’re going to approach 0. Again, it’s not noticeable at first, but after awhile, it’s going to show on the negative side.
CHART A plane flying from LA to NY, if it’s off by 1% would land in Washington DC. It would be off by 235 miles. That’s just a 1% error. Imagine building your home and there’s a 1% degree that’s off. Notice on the image, the difference in 1% looks small at the beginning, but increases with time.
My struggle is that I really don’t want to tell you to build good habits. I don’t like that word, because it’s justification for our sinfulness too. “Well, it’s just a bad habit.” No it’s not! It’s sin! But I digress!
I like to look at habits when it comes to God, as spiritual disciplines. It’s those little things we do on a daily basis that makes us who we are. If we’re not practicing spiritual disciplines or spiritual habits, then it becomes really difficult to draw nearer to God. We’re going to talk about these disciplines in a few weeks.
Building good habits helps us grow in our relationship with God so we can fulfill His purpose for our lives. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 - - - -
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared us to do.
We’re reminded that God has intricately designed us AND with a purpose. We aren’t merely products of chance, but we are masterpieces crafted, created by the love and powerful hands of our Creator.
It’s crucial to note that while works don’t save us, we are called to do good works. We’re called to live out our faith in tangible ways, demonstrating the love of Christ to the world around us.
God's plan for us is unique and tailor-made to fit our giftings and talents. We’re going to talk more about our giftings and talents in February. God has equipped us with everything we need to fulfill His purposes and to make an impact in the world.
I want you to consider what God has created you to do. And don’t say NOTHING! That’s not true. You’re His workmanship. He’s created you for a purpose.
I want to challenge you to consider how you can use your God-given abilities, talents and the opportunities God places before you to make a difference.
How can you serve in the church, or in some other ministry? How can you love your brothers and sisters as you demonstrate the grace, love and power of Christ?
Because we’re talking about habits, I want to encourage you to identify one or two specific actions you can take this week to pursue God's purpose for your life.
Remember, we’re talking about a 1% change. It doesn’t have to be big and outlandish. It’s a small change. That you make a plan to put into practice.
It’s committing ourselves wholeheartedly to living lives which demonstrate Christ’s presence, as we fulfill God's calling.
We also realize that building good habits helps us become more like Christ and transforms our lives from the inside out. In Ephesians 4:17-19, Paul wrote - - - -
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
God calls us to a radical transformation. We are to leave our old way of living. When we do this, that transformation transcends who we are and it changes our hearts, spirits and minds.
Once we make these changes and continue in them, it helps align our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions with His perfect will.
Through the power of His Spirit, God empowers us to break free from the chains of our old selves – the selfish desires, the worldly mindsets, the sinful inclinations – and to embrace the new life that He offers us in Christ.
This is a continual growth and transformation journey as we allow the truth of God's Word to shape our thinking and mold us into His likeness.
Paul tells us in Romans 12 - - - -
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
Don’t conform to the patterns and ways of the world, instead be transformed. Allow His power to transform you. That’s what Paul was saying in the last verse.
Do you have thought patterns or attitudes that are contrary to the character of Christ? Do habits or behaviors hinder your spiritual growth and intimacy with God?
If you can identify them, then consider those small steps to break those destructive patterns. More often than not, it’s the small changes, that begin to make a huge difference in our lives.
I’m not sure what your struggle is, but whatever it is, with God’s help you can make it. Make that 1% change and don’t give up.
Eating healthy for one day doesn’t cut it. You want to step on the scale and see that you lost weight, but it doesn’t happen and we get frustrated and quit the diet. But after 2 weeks, not 1 week, go back and check in and see how it’s going. 1 % changes take time to show up.
Building good habits helps us strengthen our faith and overcome challenges and temptations. In Ephesians 4, Paul continued - - - -
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We need to understand – godliness is not a passive activity. Godliness, or growing in Christ is a deliberate pursuit that requires discipline, dedication, and effort.
We are called to devote ourselves to spiritual disciplines, things like prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, worship, fasting, serving, journaling, silence/solitude, celebration and more which draw us closer to God.
That’s what Paul’s getting at when he said to put off your old selves and put on your new self. It’s making those changes, not for anyone’s benefit but your own. We are to put off that old self, and put on the new self, the better self, which is from God.
Maybe you struggle with swearing. It flies out too easily and you want to change that. It’s giving it to God in prayer. It’s asking for God’s strength and power. But at the same time, it’s knowing that
OLD HABITS DIE HARD
We don’t let go easily. What we’ve always known, creeps back in. Especially in times of stress. So, make those changes slowly. Give yourself slack and look for improvement. Talk to a friend to hold you accountable. Not to beat you up, but to encourage you and let you know when you blew it. Make that daily 1% change.
As we conclude our time together today, it’s the question - - - - Why is building good habits important for Christians, and how can we do it effectively?
I believe it’s important because developing good habits or disciplines sparks our spiritual growth, and helps us deepen our relationship with God, and grows our character.
But how do we go about this effectively?
Clear tells us in the book to do 4 things:
make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
Imagine yourself: If you were to imagine the perfect image of yourself. Suppose you were to imagine the ideal faith. What would that look like?
We should strive to be the better version of ourselves and apply our habits by striving towards that image. Our perfect role model is Christ. He is the perfect example of the fullness of life we can enjoy.
Let me give you a couple of quick examples -----
If you struggle with reading the Bible. You have your excuses — You say “you don’t read, you can’t read, you can’t understand the Bible, you don’t have time” . . . those are excuses to save you from quitters day. I know I’m stepping on someone’s toes.
But maybe you say, “I’m going to shoot for the 1%. I’m going to read 1 chapter per day. I’ll pick a certain time and place to read. I will let others know, don’t bother me.
When I read the Bible at home, I turn on music. If a program is on, it distracts me. Find what works for you. And forgive yourself if you miss a day. Ask someone to hold you accountable, put it on your daily calendar.
And don’t start with Genesis, start with the New Testament and start with 1 chapter. That’s about 5 minutes max. That’s doable. And maybe that 1 chapter turns into 2 and maybe something hits home for you about who God is. Yes, there will be some tough chapters, but ask. No question is bad.
Or maybe you struggle in giving an offering to the church. You want to, but you don’t. Maybe it’s your finances are out of whack. Maybe it’s a lack of trust. I don’t know what it is for you, but it’s starting at 1%.
Maybe start giving a fraction of what you could. It’s starting and then finding joy in giving. Make a plan on when and how.
Maybe it’s serving. You don’t serve. You worship, you believe, but you’ve never gotten involved here or in any ministry. Maybe you’ve sensed a nudge from God, but you’ve resisted. Try the 1%. Try it out.
Come to something. Offer to volunteer for a 1 time event. See how it goes. Do it for the glory and honor of God. You never know how God will change you into the better you.
It’s embracing His grace for those 1% changes which end up after a year’s time of having people say to you “you’ve changed! I like it!” How great is that!
It’s those little movements which lead to big change.
My greatest hope for each person here, including me, is that we would experience the power of Christ at work. It’s so fun to experience His presence and power.
