We are very adaptable. We get used to different conditions very quickly. People can live in the North under extreme, cold temperatures and also in the constant heat of a hot climate. Man can live in luxury and also in poverty. We can get used to living in a city amongst millions of people, but also in the country as hermits.
Man can get used to living in sin, in constant evil thinking, evil planning and evil doing. His mind can be filled with bitterness, hatred, and a revengeful spirit. He can get used to vanity, to continuous fun and parties. He can become engrossed in business so much that nothing else matters anymore except making money and more money.
Man can get used to more than 2000 different Christian religions. It does not matter how wrong their doctrines are, there is always someone willing to join with them.
We can also get used to a life of holiness, of purity, and of self-denial. Bible reading and prayer can be our favourite pastimes.
Anything we do a few times in a row becomes a habit to us. First, it seems like a thin spider’s web, but every time we repeat it, it gets stronger, and finally it becomes as a cable of steel which is almost impossible to break.
We begin to form our habits from the earliest time in our childhood. Therefore, it is very important that parents start the character formation of their children from their early years. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“The children begin young to deceive, cover up, tell things in a different light from what they are to their mother, as well as their father. Exaggeration becomes habit, and blunt falsehoods come to be told with but little conviction or reproof of conscience.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 157
Later in life these characteristics are hard to change, but it is our life work to break up bad habits and learn new, good habits. This is the purpose of the church, to teach the members how to do it. Also, God has promised to help us to overcome all our bad habits and to learn good habits.
After we have overcome our bad habits, there is always the danger to fall back into them. Solomon writes, “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” Proverbs 26:11
Often young people who have tried certain sins will create lifelong temptations to fall into them again.
Jesus said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. Jesus meant that the old habits may come back to life again, therefore, we must watch and pray.
A drug addict can stop using drugs with a great effort, but now he has to be careful not to fall into this bad habit again. If he would have never used drugs he would have no temptation to use them again.
Little sins are dangerous, because many do not pay attention to them. They look so small, so trivial, but these little sins open the way to greater sins.
“Noble faculties have been paralyzed by wrong habits of sinful indulgence. The aspirations are perverted, and the soul and body defaced.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 165
This backsliding works slowly, that we do not always realize the danger, until suddenly we wake up and find out that we have no faith, no desire after God, and our missionary spirit is dead.
In order to develop good habits we need to do what David wrote. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psalm 34:8
We need to make experiences with the Lord, daily. With His help we have power to break every bad habit. This way we will be stronger and more faithful every day. Also, we will be more happy as time goes on.
“Unless evil habits are conquered, they will conquer us and destroy our happiness. There are many poor creatures, now miserable, disappointed, and degraded, a curse to all around them, who might have been useful and happy men had they but improved their opportunities.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 654–655
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15–17
The love of the world will separate us from God. The literature, movies, sports, that the world loves is not for a Christian to see. Our habits are Bible study, prayer, and missionary work.
Sister White writes, “Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings.” –Ministry of Healing, p. 492
When tempted to complain of what someone has said or done, praise him for something good in his life and character. It is Satan who wants you to dwell on the mistakes and failures of others. This way you separate friends and turn weak members away from the church.
Some have the habit to stay away from the prayer meetings and other religious services. “It is a serious mistake to neglect the public worship of God. The privileges of divine service should not be lightly regarded.” –Ministry of Healing, p. 511
If we do not overcome all bad habits, we will lose our faith and our salvation. It takes hard effort and continuous practice to gain good habits and to overcome the bad ones. This way we become sanctified into Christlikeness, and the fullness of joy and happiness will fill our hearts. In the end, heaven and eternal life will be granted to us. May the Lord help us to be overcomers in our life battles. Amen.
Timo Martin