Conventional wisdom tells us we should break bad habits by “tapering off”. Experience tells us there is a better way. The best way to break a bad habit is to “drop it.” For example, take the word Habit and taper off. H-A-B-I-T – drop the H and you still have ABIT. Taper off some more and you are still BIT. Drop the B and you are left with IT and IT is the problem. No, that doesn’t work well. You must get “I” out of the habit.
Just one little puff and a smoker who is battling the habit is smoking again. One man argued, “I know how to quit smoking. I have quit a dozen times.” Just one little drink has caused many an alcoholic to fall off the wagon. To break a bad habit you have to want to. Your “want to” is greatly strengthened when you begin to hate the habit for what it is doing to you.
You must drop the habit. “But I have tried and it doesn’t work, I can’t do it.” Good, I am glad you have discovered that wonderful truth. Now that you have come to the end of your own fleshly strength, you can turn to the lord and His Word. You will find both His instruction and His deliverance.
“Make no provision for the flesh.” (Romans 13:14) Pour out your alcohol, throw your cigarettes in the trash can and don’t buy anymore. Remove the temptation. Good scriptural advice!
You will find your deliverance at the foot of the cross of Jesus, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, it is Christ who lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
Jesus died on the cross “FOR” our sins. Most people who know anything about Christianity knows this basic truth. But many folks do not understand the second work of the cross – we are crucified “With Him.” We were represented in Him. We count ourselves to be crucified with Him. A dead man doesn’t have any bad habits.
I have battled the bad habit of worry. On morning I woke up with Galatian’s 2:20 on my mind. Over and over I heard “I am crucified with Christ.” I believe the next thought was from the Holy Spirit, “Dead mean don’t worry.” Do you really want to overcome a bad habit? Quit striving. Quit trying to taper off or do it in your own strength. Your answer is at the foot of the cross.
Christ is your answer!
J.T. Parish is the Founding Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church. He further serves on the Church Leadership Council, as Chairman of the Board of World Missions and Evangelism, and as President of the School of Ministry.