Whether we realize it or not, everything we do in life is made up mostly by our habits.  Both good and bad habits play a huge part in our life.  Did you ever stop to think that God is interested in the habits you are cultivating and living out?

What habits can be found in my life that don’t please my Heavenly Father?  What habits might you have that aren’t necessarily glorifying God?

Following is a list of bad habits that are frequently found in my life… and it’s very likely they are present in your life as well.  If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit and confess that these bad habits are actually sins! God Word has something to say about each one.  Let’s identify which bad habits (or sins!) are present in our lives and then seek to change them with His help.

Bad Habits Every Christian Must Break

Bad Habit #1: Putting Other Things Before God

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Do you put other things before God and your relationship with Him? It’s so easy for us to do this, and it can happen over and over again. Our lives are busy and full. We have jobs, relationships, responsibilities, and to-do lists that keep us busy all day long, every day. If we aren’t intentional about putting God first in our lives, other things will come before our time with Him.

How can we break this bad habit and put God FIRST in our lives? Here are two simple tips to help you:

• Identify the things you are putting before God. Is it your phone? Your to-do list? Your husband or boyfriend? Nothing or no one, should come before the Lord., He deserves first place in our lives and our hearts. Identify the things that are keeping you from the Lord and ask God to forgive you. Pray for grace and help to put God first in your life, before other things, before other people, and before other activities.
• Spend time with God first thing in the morning. Make it your goal to spend time with the Lord in the morning. When we put God first in our day, we also put Him first in our lives. It’s helpful to spend time with the Lord in the morning before the busyness of our day keeps us from sitting down to spend time in Bible reading and prayer.

When we continually put other things before God, it turns into a bad cycle and bad habit that’s hard to break. Start today and begin to put an end to the bad habit of putting other things before God and your time with Him.

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• My KJV Creative Bible – The best Bible I’ve ever had! It’s beautiful pages and illustrated verses inspire me to spend more time in the Word!
• The Choice is Yours by Terrie Chappell – One of my favorite books about walking with God!

Bad Habit #2: Not Making Time for Prayer

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is a tough one for me. I find it so hard to still my mind in heart so I can spend just a few moments talking to my Heavenly Father. But prayer is so, so important.

If you and I do not make enough time for prayer, that means we are not giving God the highest place in our life. Prayer is the key to our spiritual life, and if we skip prayer we miss out on huge blessings and help from God. Prayer is one of our greatest spiritual weapons, and one of our greatest privileges as a Child of God.

So, what can we do? How can we break this bad habit and make more time for prayer?

Here are a few tips that have helped me and can help you too!

• Write your prayers in a notebook or prayer journal. I like to write out my prayers because this helps me stay focused and keeps my mind from wandering all over the place.
• Pray while you exercise. The next time you go for a run, walk on the treadmill, or go for a hike, spend some time in prayer while you exercise your body.
• Pray before bed. Before you fall asleep, pray and talk to your Heavenly Father. It will help calm your mind and heart for bed.
• Spend time praying with others. Pray with your husband, your mom, your best friend, your mentor. Spend time in prayer with others and watch your relationships and your faith deepen at the same time.

Prayer is a spiritual discipline that should not be neglected. Break the habit of not spending time in prayer, and start TODAY by making time to talk to your Heavenly Father.

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• Blog Post: How to Journal During Your Quiet Time
• KJV Prayer Journal For Women

Bad Habit #3: Laziness

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Proverbs 6:6

We do not need to read far into the book of Proverbs to see that laziness (or slothfulness) is a common sin and a big problem.  It’s so easy to become lazy and slack off of our “Christian duties.”  Whether we begin to get lazy in our personal life, our walk with God, or ministry… laziness is a bad habit that must be overcome.

We all get lazy from time to time, but if we are careful it can become a habitual problem. How can we take heed to the warnings of Proverbs and break this dangerous habit?

• Pray for help! God knows our struggles. He created us and He understand our human nature. If you’ve been struggling with laziness then make it a matter of daily prayer. Ask the Lord to help you in your struggle with laziness.
• Fight through the feelings. We overcome laziness when we fight the feeling of laziness and do what needs to be done. Whether it’s getting up early to spend time with the Lord, or going to work whether we feel like it or not, the more we push through our feelings the easier it gets to overcome our feelings of laziness.

Laziness is not something to feed and foster in our daily lives. We must fight to overcome it. Pray and ask the Lord for help, ask a friend to keep you accountable and begin fighting through the feelings of laziness to overcome this bad habit.

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• Push Yourself by Abb Thomas – A motivating book to help you get active for the Lord!
• PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner – My favorite planner that helps me take action on my most important goals and priorities!

Bad Habit #4: Poor Stewardship

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

Think for a moment about all the things God has given us to take care of: our bodies, our money, our relationships, our time, a spiritual gift, etc.

Are we being responsible and wise in our stewardship of these areas?  Not properly stewarding an area of our life can limit us in God’s service.  Poor health, failing relationships, or lack of wisdom in finances can severely limit us in our service to God.

Take a good honest look at your life. Think about your health, finances, relationships, ministry, etc.

Are you stewarding these areas well? 

What areas of your life need to be improved and how can you become a better steward in that area?

Honestly evaluate your life and things God has given you to steward. Make a list, pray over each area, ask the Lord for help, and make the necessary changes to become a better steward of what God has given you.

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• Stewarding Life by Paul Chappell – A super helpful book on stewardship!
• PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner – Once again, my favorite planner for managing and stewarding my priorities!

Bad Habit #5: Grumbling and Complaining

These are two things that can destroy our testimony for Christ!  Why would the world want what we have if we aren’t contented and joyful?  If we are constantly complaining and grumbling we give the world the wrong picture of the Christian life.  We must get rid of our selfish and complaining habits if we want to show the world what it is like to live a contented and joyful life in Christ.

Have you succumbed to the bad habit of grumbling and complaining about what you’ve been given? This isn’t just a bad habit – it’s a sin. Confess is to the Lord as such and ask for His help. By God’s grace we can become joyful Christian who praise the Lord for all the blessings He’s given us.

What’s the best cure for a grumbling and complaining heart? One word. Gratitude.

Begin today, and start counting your blessings. Each day, identify the good things. It can be something simple like making it work safely and on time – that’s a good thing. It’s a blessing.

Look around you and begin to notice the blessings in your day and your life. It will change your heart and your attitude from one that grumbles and complains to one that’s grateful and joyful!

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• Blog Post: 6 Little Ways to Add Gratitude to Your Day
• Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Demoss – A favorite book that changed the way I view joy and gratitude.

Bad Habit #6: Gluttony

“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.” Proverbs 25:16

This is something we rarely hear about but it is a problem none-the-less (for me too!).  God makes it very clear what He thinks about gluttony and a lack of self-discipline.  Just check out the book of Proverbs!  We must strive to overcome our bad habits related to food.  Food is a blessing from God but we abuse it so often. We must learn to be disciplined in our eating habits.

I won’t elaborate on this point. We know that food can be a problem – especially in our American culture where food is so prevalent.

Most of us KNOW what we need to do. We need to learn how to stop when our bodies our full. We need to eat what is sufficient and healthy for our bodies, and no more. We must remember that gluttony is not just a bad habit, it’s actually a sin. 

If you are truly struggling in this area, ask the Lord for help and consider seeking help from a parents or trusted counselor if you feel your relationship with food is getting out of control.

As Christians, we can gain victory through Christ… in this area and in all the others. Victory through Jesus Christ is possible. 

Resources to Help You Break This Bad Habit:

• Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst
• Devotions for a Healthier You by Katie Farrell

Final Thoughts

These are just six bad habits (or sins) that we must get rid of. Cultivating good habits in these areas can help us have a brighter, more radiant testimony for Christ.  Let’s identify where we are failing and ask Him to help is form new and better habits.

Remember This: Always, always, take your struggles to the Lord in prayer. Confess any sins that need to be forgiven, God is willing and able to forgive a repentance heart! (1 John 1:9) If you need to see victory in a particular area of your life, make it a matter of prayer. Study the Bible to see what God has to say about your particular struggle and meditate on what HE has to say.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

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