Anything that we do that leads us away from God leads us closer to the habit. The drinker wants to go to the club for just a bit. The porn guy wants to look at bikini girls, the drug person wants to hang with their buddy who still uses drugs for just a little while.
Desiring borderline things causes our contentment in God to decrease.
To fight borderline things, we can rate our activity based on whether it leads us toward God, or toward habits.
#1 Searching specific verses about the habit: Rating 10
Read them, study them, pray over them. They bring us closer to God.
#2 Reading the Bible: Rating 9.8
Searching “Verses fighting sin habits” on Google is a 10, but all passages are good.
#3 Praying quitting prayers: Rating 9 when used to prepare for temptation. When overwhelmed, it is best to go to scripture.
#4 Learning a musical instrument, or active sports, or any activity that demands all of your attention. Rating 8. This works great when you are doing it. The second you are done, start doing the better things.
#5 Helping others: Rating 10. God wants us doing this. It brings us closer to God.
#6 Reading a Christian book: Rating 9. It could be higher if it really inspires you.
Second, have a list of activities that you would consider doing. Rank each activity based on whether it brings you closer to God. Remember, your new activity is not for fun or pleasure. It is to help you quit now. Once you have dried out from your habit, “then” the same activity will start to be fun.
Third, be honest with your ranking. Staring at bikini girls/boys is a 1. Watching a movie that glorifies your habit is a 1. Going to places where temptation might skyrocket is a 1 or 2 at best.
If you insist on doing something that you would rank a 4, be aware of that. It just might lead you toward that slippery slope. If it does, then find a better activity.
Third, consider adding something Christian to your activity. Things like Christian music, or saying “Praise the Lord” often while doing the activity. Can you pray while you do the activity?
Finally, your activities either lead you closer to God or closer to your habit. If you rank your activities, you will start to realize what is happening long before temptation overwhelms. You will start to exactly realize the borderline things that are begining your slide.
Once you know exactly what is going on… it is still wise to repent. You need to be in a right place with God. But, once you do that, now you can simply start doing what you should be doing.
.
