“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
I push the habit of combatting habits with Bible verses often because the powers we wrestle against are often overwhelming (The original article was called “Fight,” written on about October 25th). The key point is… These powers find your specific Bible verse for fighting temptation overwhelming as well. They don’t want to hear scripture or even be around scripture.
First, consider setting reminders everywhere to fight back with scripture. In your phone, on your mirror, on your TV, everywhere. Then, set a minimum goal of when you will do this. Example, you never ever remember to do this. Consider taping a full page note over 30% of your TV, or computer screen. You can’t use this as a great habit until you “start” forming the habit.
Second, there are consequences to our crazy thoughts which lead to our bad actions. When we quote scripture we have perfect thoughts that lead to good things.
Third, celebrate any progress you make in forming this habit. Say “success” out loud, pump your fist, say “There is power in scripture,” say, “This is how Jesus fought temptation and this is how I will fight it.”
Fourth, be the leader of your quitting with scripture social club. Today, consider sharing your quitting verse with this group, and sharing your tricks about how to remember how to do it.
Fifth, every time we read the Bible (I recommend 5 chapters a day while you are quitting) we get more filled-with-the-spirit. Every time we quote our quitting verse we get more help from the Holy Spirit. Every time we determine to do things God’s way we get more help from the Holy Spirit.
My verse is:
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
My habit and all habits cause darkness in our lives. I want Jesus light and joy. This verse showed me how my habits were shutting me off from everything.
Finally, these dark forces in the above verse will run you right over. Instead, run them over first with scripture.
Remember… Jesus said that it works.
.
