The habits we develop throughout life control our thoughts,
choices and behavior. Some of them cause us to sow to the wind, and then we reap
the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Others prevent us from trusting
in God, since we think that we can serve Him in our own strength. Habits should
not control our life. That's the job of God's Spirit.
God will reveal the habits in our life, which are idols,
and give us the power to lay them down at His feet (Philippians
2:12-13). We relinquish our habits and follow the leading of God's
Spirit each moment of our day. As we submit to God, we can resist the devil and
he will flee from us (James 4:7). We are no longer drawn to sin
and bad habits, which destroy our life.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He "lead captivity
captive" (Ephesians 4:8; Luke 16:19-31). He freed
the Old Testament Saints from separation from God and led them into the
heavenly realm (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27-30). Jesus is now our Advocate
(1
John 2:1). He frees His New Testament Saints from Satan's deception
and sin's temptation. He enables us to relinquish our habits good and bad.
We do not depend on good habits to accomplish God's will
for our life. We live in the Spirit and we walk in the Spirit as we further
God's Kingdom while we live on this earth (Galatians 5:16-25). We
follow God's presence rather than human effort and habits. When God's Spirit
abides within us, we are His children; and where He leads us, we will follow.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to meditate on Your Word, to listen
to Your voice and to walk in Your precepts. We no longer need habits when we
have the powerful and active Spirit of God to shape our thoughts, words and
deeds. Thank You for involving Yourself in every area of our life and for
providing for all of our needs with Your glorious riches (Philippians
4:19). Show us where we fall short of Your glory and help us to
walk only in Your ways (Romans 3:23; Deuteronomy 5:33).
Thought for the Day:
When Satan takes our circumstances out of our hands, then
we can cling closer to God. When we relinquish our problems to His care, He is
better able to provide for us through them. - 1 Peter 5:7
