Habitual sin puts up a wall between us and God. That wall blocks us from the Light, leaves us in darkness, and often leads to damage and depression. Consider praying:
“Father, forgive me for alienating our relationship. Help me to battle sin.”
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”
Ouch! Above reproach? Why would we want to try to achieve that?
If people would try battling sin for a couple of years, they would have such a decrease in destruction, and such an increase in joy, that they would never want to go back to their old life again.
For me, after quitting I have had years of joy. I never want to give that up again. But… Am I really like what verse 22 says? No, but I am trying, I am improving.
Second, habitual sin causes us to be alienated from God. Today consider writing down two things that you hate about being alienated from God.
My two were: I hated going to bed without the ability to pray. When I used to continue in sin for 2, or 3 days, I hated going to bed. I missed spending time with God in prayer when I went to bed.
I also hated the darkness. When I am right with God I feel His love and light on my life. When I used to go back to _______ I was back in darkness. I hate the darkness.
Third, people put up with a ton of bad things so that they can continue their habit. If someone forced people to write down the top 7 bad things that happen because of their habit, and to do it every hour… A lot of people would suddenly be a lot more motivated to put in the work to quit. That short-term pleasure with added destruction that habits cause, is just not worth it.
Finally, consider making a commitment to writing down the bad things about your habit every hour every day this week. The higher your number, the greater your commitment.
Maybe on Friday, I will change that to: Write down 3 bad things that happen, and 4 good things that you hope will happen once you quit. Either way, the Bible promises us that life is better after quitting. Believe that!
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