A rich man once asked an old, wise man to help his son change his bad habits. The old man asked his son to take a walk with him through the garden. After taking a few steps, the wise man stopped and asked the young man to pluck a small flower out of the ground.
The young man grabbed the plant with his fingers and easily plucked it out. The wise man nodded, and they resumed walking.
A few seconds later, they stopped again, and the wise man pointed towards another plant, a bit larger than the last. The young man grabbed it with his hand and plucked it out of the ground with a bit of effort. “Now pluck out that one,” the wise man said pointing towards a bush. The young man grabbed the bush with both of his hands and using all of his strength, barely managed to pluck it out of the ground.
“Now you see that small tree, there? Try and pluck that one.” The young man grabbed the trunk with both hands, pulled as hard as he could but he couldn’t even move it.
“It’s impossible master. I can’t do it.”
“You see my boy, it’s the same with our habits. If we let them grow and take root it becomes harder and harder for us to stop them.”
That is the truth. But thanks be to God he can deliver us from our toxic habits.
TAKE THE POWER HABITS COURSE AT WWW.SCHOOLOFTHESPIRIT/TV.POWERHABITS.
If you are trying to break bad habits, confessing the Word is a great way to renew your mind and build your faith. These confessions are based on Scripture but created in the first person to make it, well, personal.
Lord, by Your mercies, give me the grace to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is my spiritual worship. Help me not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of my mind, that I may discern your will for my life (based on Romans 12:1-2).
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, including breaking bad habits (based on Philippians 4:13).
No temptation has overtaken me that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that I may be able to endure it (based on 1 Corinthians 10:13).
If I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. So, Lord, I confess this toxic habit to You. Cleanse me from this evil and give me grace to resist the temptation, in Jesus’ name (based on 1 John 1:)
I will give no opportunity to the devil (based on Ephesians 4:27).
I know that I am God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in me. Help me, Lord, to resist every temptation to engage in toxic habits (based on 1 Corinthians 3:16).
I am a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. I will not deceive myself by disobeying the Word of God. Father, give me the grace of obedience (based on James 1:22-25).
I will not be deceived. I will not associate with bad company that corrupts my good habits (based in 1 Corinthians 15:33).
I choose to put to death what is earthly in me: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. I choose to put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from my mouth. I choose to put off the old self with its practices (based on Colossians 3:5-17).
I cast all my anxieties on the Lord, because He cares for me (based on 1 Peter 5:7).
I choose to think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think about these things (based on Philippians 4:8).
Take the Power Habits series. Little changes drive transformation results! Check it out at www.schoolofthespirit.tv/powerhabits.
