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Understanding Habits – part 2 of 2 At the end of part one of this newsletter we read in Gal. 6:7-9 of how the process of reaping and sowing is not just a concept but rather a God-breathed principle. Today, we can see the same effects to be true in the definitions of; “Cause and Effect,” and “Action – Reaction.” So no matter how we look at it, whether naturally, spiritually, historically, or in future text, our present actions will determine our future results. In considering the future and how it relates to our current habits, we must not ignore the weight of the consequences of our present view on life. Jer 29:11 (KJV) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” As Christians we have the word of the Lord concerning the outlook that we should hold about our future, but do we understand how dangerous it is to not believe what God says? Clinical studies have proven that people struggle more with bad habits when their thoughts about their future are grim. A grim outlook can cause over-focus on the present, thereby not allowing clear consideration of the future outcome of one’s present actions. In other words, not everything that makes us feel good now will continue to be enjoyable in the future, and some may even bring us to an untimely death. Two examples that I have seen on a wide scale are smoking and inordinate eating habits. Both of these bad habits have caused more wide scale destruction to human life than every war combined, yet they are continuing to increase. Such destruction should be a definite sign of the potential power that a bad habit can have over a person’s life, and should be an alarm that would cause us to examine our view of our future. Jer 18:12 (KJV) “And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.” There is hope in knowing that we do not just add the power of God to our lives when we ask Him to be our Lord, but rather that His power can and will overcome every other power that desires to rule in His place. Therefore, even if we have a habit that is not against the law, it is against the rule of Christ if we are brought into subjection to its power. 1 Cor. 6:12 (KJV) “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” We all have habits, but we must ask ourselves if the habits we have are good ones or bad ones. A good habit is one that results in an increase of life, and leads to the fulfillment of one’s destiny. A bad habit, simply put, is anything else. -Kurt Thurston February Newsletter 2006 | Self-Examination | Understanding Habits part 2 of 2 Pastor's Journal February 2005 | Here, World, Take My Children part 1 of 3 | God's Breath part 2 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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