SEVEN HOLY HABITS: GOODNESS
Introduction
In 1898, A psychologist named Edward Thorndike conducted an experiment to study the behavior of animals - he chose cats. He would place each cat inside a device known as a puzzle box. The box was designed so that the cat could escape through a door by some simple act - pulling at a cord, pressing a lever, stepping on a platform.
One box contained a lever, that, when pressed, would open a door on the side of the box. Once open, the cat could dart out and run to a bowl of food. As you can imagine, most cats wanted to escape as soon as they were placed inside the box. They would poke their nose into the corners, stick their paws through openings, claw at loose objects. Eventually they would press the magic lever, the door would open and they would escape. Thorndike tracked the behavior of the cats. Gradually, each cat learned to associate the action of pressing the lever with the
reward of escape and food. After 20 or 30 trials, the behavior was automatic and the cat could escape within a few seconds. With practice, each cat began to make fewer errors and their actions became quicker and more automatic. Rather than repeat the same mistakes, the cat began to cut straight to the solution. His work provides a starting point for discussing how habits form in our own lives.
James Clear’s book Atomic Habits is an excellent guide to growing awareness of the presence of habits in our lives and the ways to grow the habits we most want to have. He defines habit as “a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.”
For the next few weeks we want to focus on some Holy Habits - behaviors that we should seek to repeat often enough that they become automatic.
1. PETER’S HABITS OF HOLINESS (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Peter outlines seven habits of holiness that he urges us to make every effort to make a part of our lives.
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
These are essential characteristics of holiness, not just good habits we ought to think about growing. Why?
-Progressive Growth! They lead us in progression - They seem to be listed in a purposeful order, as each quality builds up on the qualities before it.
-Progressive Faith! They describe the life built upon faith. The beginning place is faith - we believe what Jesus says is true and we commit ourselves to live by his principles.
-Progressive Purpose! They reflect an effort! Peter instructs us to supply our faith with these holy habits. Pursuing growth in holiness requires an investment of our time, resources, and energy. It must not be approached casually…One does not drift into greater measures of Christlikeness…” (Harmon)
1. GOODNESS DEFINED
Goodness is probably the most difficult to define adequately. It is a word that is rarely used in the New Testament. Other translations: Virtue, excellence, resolution, Christian energy, Moral Excellence.
Three areas of emphasis when it comes to Goodness.
-Choosing to do the right thing no matter what. Living a life that is worthy of praise. Virtue is closely linked to that which is honorable. Doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. Goodness is not always easy.
-Having a steady, strong, dependable faith. Warden: “The word suggests steadiness, dependability, and consistency of character. It follows naturally after the believer has placed his faith in God.”
Energetically pursuing moral excellence in all relationships. Energetic moral excellence… a positive, vigorous
pursuit of what is morally right and helpful in all relationships.
Goodness relates to choices, consistency, and purpose.
2. HOW TO ADD GOODNESS TO YOUR FAITH
Choose Jesus as your example in all of life. Always Seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus “…went about continually doing good." Not just in what he did but also what he taught.
Choose God’s goodness as a purpose for your life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The goodness we possess was given to us by Jesus Christ and is not shifting along with whatever catches our attention for the day. Do we trust that God’s will and instruction is really best for our lives?
Be eager to add goodness. Titus 2:13b, 14 "Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” We desire to do good because of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us.
Stay Alert for opportunities to demonstrate goodness. Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Pray that God will open our eyes to ways we can enact goodness in our lives.
Overcomes evil with goodness! Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil tends to be covered, catches us unaware. Are we considering the consequences of our actions? Clarity, unfortunately, often comes after action. We should decide ahead of time how we will respond to temptation rather than just waiting to see what we impulsively will do. 3 John 11 "Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
Let Goodness enliven your Testimony. Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Never let environment nor culture determine what is truly good in your life and actions.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can as long as ever you can." —John Wesley.
Never Stop pursuing Goodness. All of the holy habits are life-long efforts for Christians, not short term goals. “No Christian ever works his way through this text to move on to other pursuits.” (Deffenbaugh)
Conclusion
The thing about habits is that many of them are below our level of consciousness. We simply act by old patterns without realizing it. Unless someone points it out, you may not notice that you cover your mouth when you laugh, you apologize before asking a question, or you have a habit of finishing other people’s sentences. Sort of like the man who had spent years working as a lifeguard and would occasionally yell “WALK!” Whenever he saw a child running. (Clear)
James Clear writes, “If a habit remains mindless, you can’t expect to improve it.” We need these habits to be pointed out to us!
I know Peter didn’t call this a list of habits - but he did tell us to add these behaviors to our lives as disciples of Jesus.
Developing the habit of adding goodness to our faith is a first step toward putting these powerful practices into our lives.
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Discussion Questions
1. What is one good habit you’ve developed over time? How did it become part of your life?
2. Why do you think Peter begins his list of holy habits with goodness? How does this list reflect a progression of spiritual growth?
3. Peter says to “make every effort” to add these qualities. What does that phrase tell us about our role in spiritual maturity?
4. Why is “doing what is right regardless of outcome” such a powerful part of goodness?
5. How does goodness reflect the character of Jesus?
6. Which of the “ways to add goodness to your faith” (from the sermon) stood out to you most? Why?
7. Read Galatians 6:10 and Romans 12:21. What are some practical ways we can let goodness “shine” in today’s culture?
8. Why does doing good sometimes require courage? Can you think of a time when doing the right thing was difficult but worth it?
9. James Clear defines a habit as “a behavior repeated enough times to become automatic.” How can we build spiritual habits like goodness into our lives?
10. How do unconscious patterns affect your spiritual life—either positively or negatively?
11. What are some simple daily or weekly practices that might help you grow in goodness?
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Resources for this Series Include...
Our Pursuit for Growth - Sermon series by Enrich Cortez
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/our-pursuit-for-our-growth-sermon-series-from-eyriche-cortez-999
Be Certain - Sermon Series by Daniel Austin
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/be-certain-sermon-series-from-daniel-austin-5895
Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ - Sermons by Mark Copeland
https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/growing-knowledge-jesus-christ/
The Pursuit of Christian Character - Bob Deffinbaugh
https://bible.org/seriespage/pursuit-christian-character-2-peter-15-7
W. A. Criswell The Seven Christian Graces
https://wacriswell.com/sermons/1974/the-seven-christian-graces/
Steven J. Cole Growing in Godliness
http://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-3-growing-godliness-2-peter-15-7
Duane Warden
1 & 2 Peter and Jude
Truth for Today Commentary Series, Resource Publications, 2009.
Rubel Shelly
Something to Hold On To: Studies in First and Second Peter. 21st Century Christian, 1985.
Matthew S. Harmon, ESV Expository Commentary, Volume XII Hebrews - Revelation, Crossway, 2018.
Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Letters of James and Peter. Westminster Press, 1960.
Harvey, Robert and Philip H. Towner. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 2 Peter and Jude. InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Helm, David R. Preaching the Word Series: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. Crossway, 2008.
Fox, Michael. Complete in Christ. Xulon Press, 2007.
Clear, James. Atomic Habits. Avery Press, 2018.
