10 Tips for Building Faithful Habits
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If you have great eyesight and can speed read, you may be able to examine the notice along the bottom of a TV screen when the latest medication is advertised: Use of this product may be habit-forming. The label of a prescription or OTC drug may have the same admonition. Certain national drive-through food chains use the same warning tongue-in-cheek, as though eating their fare will cause a person to crave their offerings and develop a must-have habit (to their CFO’s delight and perhaps our diet’s demise).
What are habits, and what’s the difference between healthy Christian habits and bad habits?
What Are Habits?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines habit as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” When we think of habits, we often first think of bad ones, including smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
Yet habits can range from godly and principled routines, to harmless affectations, selfish undertakings, and even full-frontal sin.
Some harmless habits (but perhaps maddening to those in close proximity) include twirling one’s hair, biting your nails, interrupting a person, and cracking your knuckles. Of course, interrupting someone is inherently sinful because that act displays selfishness (Philippians 2:3).
Given one’s selfish license, something good can turn into an idol and therefore a sin. For instance, committing oneself to a routine of exercise that precludes attention to others and forsaking time in God’s Word and with the church is idolatry — a sin.
Good physical habits include:
- Brushing your teeth after meals and before bedtime.
- Regular exercise.
- Eating lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Drinking lots of water and restricting sugary beverages.
For believers, good habits include the list above because they are all marks of healthy stewardship of our bodies — temples of God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Christians should incorporate other godly habits into their lives, and a list includes but is not limited to:
- Regular and ongoing prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Reading/studying our Bibles every day (Psalm 19:7-8).
- Obeying God’s Word (Deuteronomy 27:10).
- Meeting regularly with the church to worship God (Hebrews 10:25).
- Being hospitable (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9).
- Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
- Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
- Regular confession of sins (1 John 1:9).
- Sharing the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Does the Bible Mention Habits?
Numbers 22:30 gives us the memorable account of a talking donkey. “And the donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?’ And he said, ‘No.’” Here God gave the donkey a voice to rebuke his owner for beating him, when in fact the donkey had a habit of being obedient.
Hebrews 10:25 is a command for believers to gather regularly as opposed to the bad habit of those who forsake gathering to worship. “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
In the NKJV, 1 Corinthians 15:33 likens morals to habits, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” It behooves Christians to consider the company they keep (and the images to which they expose themselves, whether printed or on screen).
Biblical Illustrations of Godly Habits
God has given us His Word in a way we understand — in our languages and illumined by the Holy Spirit; it is as complete as He wants it to be for us. When the Bible speaks to us about a life walking with Him (in the Spirit), it often includes a contrasting list of attitudes and actions we must remove. Doing that enables us to better receive and act on what God has for us, and the list includes many habits (lifestyle choices). For instance, the habits of pornography and gossip are included in the list of sinful actions from which to flee (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 12:20). Proverbs 5:8 warns of the pitfalls of sexual immorality. Therefore, we are to remove the stumbling blocks that lead to bad habits.
How then are we to live a life of godly habits? In addition to the direct commands and encouragements found in the Bible, God’s Word also supplies us with many examples of people who endeavored to follow regular godly practices.
Joseph’s habit was continual trust in the LORD God (see his life story in Genesis 30-50).
David is called a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14), and he was one of the few people in the Old Testament who was filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13; Mark 12:36). David habitually praised God (see his many praises throughout the Psalms he wrote).
Daniel made a habit of getting down on his knees three times a day to pray toward Jerusalem, thanking God no matter the cost (Daniel 6:10). His was a godly habit which, although posing a risk regarding his life, reaped eternal benefits for him, his nation, and for us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
In the New Testament, the Bereans were praised for their diligence in daily examination of the Scriptures (Acts 17:10).
10 Tips for Building a Healthy Christian Habit
Have you decided to begin or renew a particular Christian habit? Proverbs 4:7 tells us wisdom is the skillful application of knowledge. There is a moral component to it as well. Know who you are before you embark upon a habit. God may lead you in a direction best suited to your unique person.
Following are 10 tips to help you kick-start your regimen and stick with it. Some of these are habits in and of themselves; consider them habit-forming habits.
1. Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
As those who belong to Christ, we need to pray about every lifestyle choice we make. It may seem redundant, but the Bible is replete with the command (and example) to pray. Why would we eschew asking our Father for help?
2. Study and Follow Christ’s Examples
When you consider Jesus’ actions throughout the Gospels, you’ll not miss how He consistently prayed (e.g., Mark 1:35).
Jesus listened well (Luke 8:18). When you prepare for a healthy Christian habit, it behooves you to study the Master.
Jesus also asked great questions, and those He asked most often led to a person’s introspection about Him and about themselves (see Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:15, Mark 9:24, and John 6:66-67).
Finally, Jesus took time for a fun festivity in Cana, even while not neglecting nor forgetting His main purpose – to bring glory to God (John 2:1-12). We can do the same.
Take life and habits seriously, because what we do ultimately has eternal impacts (our rewards, how others see Christ in us, etc.). But take time for rest and refreshment, too.
3. Consider Certain Biblical Commands as Habits
Jesus told His disciples (and therefore, us), “And when you pray…” (Luke 11:2). He did not make a conditional statement using the word if; He gave a command by His use of when.
The Apostle Paul spoke of many habits we as Christians are to exemplify daily (This is not an exhaustive list):
- Don’t think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). Humility is a key component of healthy habit building.
- Think about how you can stir other Christians up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Any habit that does not edify others or glorify the Lord is not one to begin or continue.
- Stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). Your healthy Christian habit may not sit well with others who don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t let their disapproval hinder you; instead, use the opportunity to share the why of your habit — your love for and obedience to our Savior.
When we follow the tenets of the Bible, we gain the faith, focus, and endurance to build healthy Christian habits.
4. Place the Elements of Your Godly Habit within Daily Eyesight
If your plan is to read the Bible every morning, make sure it’s right where you need it to be. If you plan to read through a certain number of commentaries or Christian living books, clear a shelf and line them up in the order you plan to read through them. Prayer walks may be the habit you’d like to start. If so, gather all your needs (walking shoes, bug spray, etc.) and place them in a regular spot.
5. Study and Implement the Habits of the Apostles
Once again, we see prayer is a hallmark of healthy Christian habits. Paul’s epistles usually start and end with a prayer. Christ’s disciples followed Him. Through the Bible, we can follow Jesus and the Apostles. Take time to read through and note what habits each developed and sustained. (For example, Paul expressed so much via letters.)
6. Prioritize Fellowship with Godly Brothers and Sisters
We read earlier the Bible commands regular fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). We love on each other and we share our lives. Conversations about what we are doing brings encouragement and perhaps even ideas for other healthy Christian habits.
7. Join Others Who Seek to Build the Same Types of Habits
Just as regular general fellowship helps build healthy churches, so too, like-minded healthy habit builders can grow together. Accountability partners can come out of smaller groups and can share encouragement and tips.
8. Journal the Journey Toward Your Healthy Christian Habit
Looking back at our beginnings and forward to our goals helps motivate us to continue, firm in our resolution to not only build but sustain healthy Christian habits.
9. Engage in Regular “Think Time”
This might be the hardest task because many people don’t feel productive unless they are doing something physical. But taking the time away from your regular environment can spark a habit that’s become redundant (it doesn’t have to be far). The new perspective can give you time to think, pray, and perhaps renew any flagging desire to continue your habit.
10. Thank God for Life in Christ and the Opportunity to Develop Godly Habits
Isn’t it wonderful to live a life of freedom in Christ? Even our habits are chances to be ambassadors for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Remember, no matter at what age we find ourselves, we can always serve the Lord by building strong, faithful habits.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Alexis Brown
