Breaking Bad Habits: The Path to Spiritual Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to New Life! Today, we continue our series, "The Power to Change," focusing on breaking bad habits. We all have them, and they can ruin our lives if left unchecked. I shared my own struggles and emphasized that true change requires a heart of repentance. We examined the story of Samson, a man with immense potential who was ultimately undone by his unchecked bad habits. His journey from Zorah to Gaza, a 25-mile trek, symbolizes the small steps that lead to significant downfalls. Samson's life teaches us that one small bad habit can lead to a catastrophic decision.
We often underestimate the impact of our bad habits, thinking we have them under control. But these habits can lead to ruinous decisions, affecting our finances, relationships, and overall well-being. The key to breaking these habits is not just behavior modification but spiritual transformation. We need a spiritual "why" and "what" to guide us. Today, we focus on the spiritual "not"—the one habit we must break to honor God more.
James 1:21 urges us to get rid of all filth and evil in our lives and accept God's Word, which has the power to save our souls. Identifying the habit we need to break is crucial, but it's not easy. Bad habits are hard to break because they offer instant rewards, even though the price is paid later. We must make it hard to engage in these habits by removing the cues that trigger them. These cues can be places, times, moods, moments, or people.
Proverbs 4 advises us to avoid the path of evildoers and keep moving away from temptation. We need to create healthy cues and crush unhealthy ones. If you want to break a bad habit, you must interrupt the action. For severe habits, professional help may be necessary. Remember, the habits you have today shape who you become tomorrow. Do you like the direction your habits are taking you? If not, it's time to repent, remove the cues, and seek support from close friends and our church community. Let's lean into Jesus, who has the authority to help us overcome our bad habits.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Small Steps: Samson's journey of 56,250 steps to Gaza symbolizes how small, unchecked bad habits can lead to significant downfalls. Each step was an opportunity for repentance, yet he ignored it. This teaches us that every small decision matters and can either lead us closer to or further from God's will. [17:42]
2. Spiritual Transformation Over Behavior Modification: True change comes from the inside out, not just by altering our behavior but by undergoing spiritual transformation. We need a spiritual "why" and "what" to guide us in breaking bad habits. This involves a deep, heart-level commitment to honoring God more. [22:15]
3. Identifying and Removing Cues: Bad habits are often triggered by specific cues, such as places, times, moods, moments, or people. Identifying these cues and removing them is crucial for breaking bad habits. Proverbs 4 advises us to avoid the path of evildoers and keep moving away from temptation. [32:06]
4. The Cost of Instant Rewards: Bad habits are hard to break because they offer instant rewards, even though the price is paid later. We often focus on the immediate gratification and ignore the long-term consequences. Recognizing this pattern can help us make better choices that honor God. [27:53]
5. Community and Accountability: Breaking bad habits requires support from close friends and our church community. Confessing our struggles and seeking help can provide the encouragement and accountability we need. At New Life Church, we offer grace, mercy, and love to help each other become all that God created us to be. [44:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:37] - Introduction to Bad Habits
[11:56] - Types of Bad Habits
[13:15] - Underestimating Bad Habits
[14:37] - The Story of Samson
[17:42] - Samson's Journey to Gaza
[19:16] - Consequences of Bad Habits
[20:42] - Financial and Relational Impact
[22:15] - Spiritual Transformation
[23:41] - Spiritual Why and What
[24:58] - Identifying the Habit to Break
[26:25] - The Challenge of Breaking Habits
[27:53] - Instant Rewards and Long-term Costs
[29:13] - Consequences of Bad Habits
[30:33] - How to Break a Bad Habit
[32:06] - Removing Cues
[33:42] - Five Key Areas of Cues
[36:19] - Restructuring Times
[37:35] - Moods and Moments
[38:52] - Influence of People
[40:22] - Practical Steps to Break Habits
[41:36] - Severe Habits and Professional Help
[43:12] - God's Grace and Forgiveness
[44:41] - Community and Accountability
[46:04] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 16:1 - "One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her."
2. James 1:21 - "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
3. Proverbs 4:14-15 - "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Samson's journey from Zorah to Gaza, and how does it relate to the concept of small steps leading to significant downfalls? [17:42]
2. According to James 1:21, what are we instructed to do with the moral filth and evil in our lives?
3. In Proverbs 4:14-15, what specific actions are we advised to take to avoid the path of evildoers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Samson's story illustrate the danger of unchecked bad habits leading to catastrophic decisions? [14:37]
2. What does it mean to undergo spiritual transformation rather than just behavior modification, and why is this important in breaking bad habits? [22:15]
3. How can identifying and removing cues help in breaking bad habits, according to the sermon and Proverbs 4:14-15? [32:06]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any small, seemingly insignificant habits that could lead to larger issues if left unchecked? How can you address them now? [17:42]
2. What is your spiritual "why" for wanting to break a bad habit? How does this deeper motivation help you stay committed to change? [22:15]
3. Identify a specific cue that triggers a bad habit in your life. What practical steps can you take to remove or alter this cue? [32:06]
4. Think about a bad habit that offers instant rewards but has long-term negative consequences. How can you shift your focus from immediate gratification to long-term benefits? [27:53]
5. How can you leverage the support of close friends or your church community to help you break a bad habit? What steps will you take to seek this support? [44:41]
6. Consider the five key areas of cues (places, times, moods, moments, people). Which area is most relevant to your bad habit, and what specific changes can you make in that area? [33:42]
7. Reflect on the direction your current habits are taking you. Are you satisfied with this direction? If not, what immediate actions will you take to change course? [41:36]
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Small Steps
Description:
The story of Samson's journey from Zorah to Gaza, a 25-mile trek, serves as a powerful metaphor for how small, unchecked bad habits can lead to significant downfalls. Each of the 56,250 steps Samson took was an opportunity for repentance, yet he ignored it, leading to his ultimate ruin. This teaches us that every small decision matters and can either lead us closer to or further from God's will. We often underestimate the impact of our small actions, thinking they are inconsequential. However, these small steps accumulate over time, shaping our character and destiny. [17:42]
Bible Passage:
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a small habit you have that you know is not honoring to God. What is one small step you can take today to begin changing that habit?
Day 2: Spiritual Transformation Over Behavior Modification
Description:
True change comes from the inside out, not just by altering our behavior but by undergoing spiritual transformation. We need a spiritual "why" and "what" to guide us in breaking bad habits. This involves a deep, heart-level commitment to honoring God more. Behavior modification alone is insufficient because it addresses only the symptoms, not the root cause. Spiritual transformation, on the other hand, changes our desires and motivations, aligning them with God's will. This kind of change is sustainable and leads to lasting freedom from bad habits. [22:15]
Bible Passage:
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection:
What is your spiritual "why" for wanting to break a particular bad habit? How can you remind yourself of this "why" daily?
Day 3: Identifying and Removing Cues
Description:
Bad habits are often triggered by specific cues, such as places, times, moods, moments, or people. Identifying these cues and removing them is crucial for breaking bad habits. Proverbs 4 advises us to avoid the path of evildoers and keep moving away from temptation. By creating healthy cues and crushing unhealthy ones, we can make it harder to engage in bad habits. This proactive approach helps us to avoid situations that trigger our bad habits, making it easier to develop new, healthier behaviors. [32:06]
Bible Passage:
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you." (Proverbs 4:23-25, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify one cue that triggers a bad habit in your life. What practical steps can you take to remove or avoid this cue starting today?
Day 4: The Cost of Instant Rewards
Description:
Bad habits are hard to break because they offer instant rewards, even though the price is paid later. We often focus on the immediate gratification and ignore the long-term consequences. Recognizing this pattern can help us make better choices that honor God. Instant rewards can be deceptive, luring us into actions that seem harmless in the moment but have detrimental effects over time. By focusing on the long-term benefits of breaking bad habits, we can find the motivation to resist the lure of instant gratification. [27:53]
Bible Passage:
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a bad habit that offers you instant gratification. What are the long-term consequences of this habit, and how can focusing on these consequences help you make better choices?
Day 5: Community and Accountability
Description:
Breaking bad habits requires support from close friends and our church community. Confessing our struggles and seeking help can provide the encouragement and accountability we need. At New Life Church, we offer grace, mercy, and love to help each other become all that God created us to be. Community and accountability are essential because they provide external support and motivation, helping us stay committed to our goals. By sharing our struggles with trusted friends and mentors, we can receive the guidance and encouragement needed to overcome our bad habits. [44:41]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection:
Who in your life can you trust to hold you accountable in breaking a bad habit? How can you reach out to them for support today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Life doesn't have to be this way. Isn't that good? The good news is this isn't where it has to end. Life doesn't have to be this way. And that's why we've been going through this series. This series has been teaching you that to make change in your life is not just behavior modification, but it has to be spiritual transformation." [22:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The power to change doesn't come from the outside in. The power to change comes from the inside out. It's spiritual transformation. And that's why week one we talked about you need a spiritual why. What's your spiritual why for changing?" [22:15] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you want to honor God more? Do you want to honor God more with your life? All right. This is why we change. This is why we want to change. This is why we want to follow James chapter 1 verse 21. It says this. So get rid of all of the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word that God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." [24:58] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus wants you to become everything he designed you to be. But the bad habits that the enemy has kind of woven into your life and you've allowed into your life, they're shaping who you're becoming tomorrow. Can I just ask you a question today? Do you like the direction that your habit is taking you in?" [41:36] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You are not alone at New Life Church. We love people right where they are, but we love them too much to leave them there. We want to help you become all God wants you to be. There are people at your campus that will walk with you, and they will not judge you. There is no shame. There is no harm, and there is no foul for confessing that I have a bad habit that's controlling my life at New Life Church." [44:41] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It is impossible to write a sermon about bad habits. It's impossible to write a sermon about bad habits. Changing bad habits without having a heart of repentance. So can I just say to you, this has been a very good week for me, right, of having to repent because you're writing a message on bad habits, and the whole time you're writing a message on bad habits, you sense the Holy Spirit dealing with you, right?" [10:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "One small bad habit eventually leads to one big bad decision that ruins your life. Tell me if that's not true. That is true. One small bad habit left unchecked in your life will eventually lead to one bad decision that ruins your life. That could end up ruining your life." [13:15] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you don't define it, then you can't get rid of it. That's what James 1 told us. It says, so get rid of all the filth and the evil in your lives. If you don't define it, you'll never get rid of it. But here's the truth though, because I'm your friend. I want to make sure that we're super clear on this. Just because you define it doesn't mean it's going to be easy to change it." [26:25] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Why fight temptation in the future that you have the power to eliminate today? Why not? If you have the power to eliminate the temptation of the future today, why not do that now? Why not go after it right now?" [40:22] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The bad news is that Samson took 56,250 steps towards Gaza. Each one of those was an opportunity to repent, and he didn't. But the good news is that all along the way, those 56,250 steps, guarantee you, God was nudging his heart. And today, God's nudging your heart." [43:12] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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