Habits

Hi evryone, What do we mean by the word Habit's. Well the Dictionary defines the word as follows,

A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition.
An established disposition of the mind or character.
Customary manner or practice: a person of ascetic habits.
An addiction, especially to a narcotic drug.
Physical constitution.
Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of growth, especially of a plant or crystal.
A distinctive dress or costume, especially of a religious order.
A riding habit.

tr.v. hab·it·ed, hab·it·ing, hab·its
To clothe; dress.

[Middle English, clothing, from Old French, clothing, behavior, custom, from Latin habitus, from past participle of hab?FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="re, to have. See ghabh- in Indo-European Roots.]
Synonyms: habit, practice, custom, usage, use, wont, habitude
These nouns denote patterns of behavior established by continual repetition. Habit applies to a behavior or practice so ingrained that it is often done without conscious thought: "Habit rules the unreflecting herd" (William Wordsworth). Practice denotes an often chosen pattern of individual or group behavior: "You will find it a very good practice always to verify your references, sir" (Martin Joseph Routh). Custom is behavior as established by long practice and especially by accepted conventions: "No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion" (Carrie Chapman Catt). Usage refers to an accepted standard for a group that regulates individual behavior: "laws... corrected, altered, and amended by acts of parliament and common usage" (William Blackstone). Use and wont are terms for customary and distinctive practice: "situations where the use and wont of their fathers no longer meet their necessities" (J.A. Froude). Habitude refers to an individual's behaving in a certain way rather than a specific act: "His real habitude gave life and grace/To appertainings and to ornament" (Shakespeare).
The Bible however defines the Habit's as follows. A habit is a usual manner of behaviour a pattern. There are good habits and bad habits,much the same as any other person exhibits both good and bad behaviour. The question is, What is the prevailling pattern? The term bad habits brings to mind things like smoking, alcohol, drugs. But spreading gossip, complaining or backbiting can become real bad habits too, Worry can become a real bad habit and can hurt us deeply Good habits, on the other hand, can be of great value. The habit of prayer is something beautiful. Daniel was willing to risk his life rather than give up his habit of prayer. We can make witnessing about Christ a good habit. The Bible has much to say about habit's that will benefit us for a life time (and beyond) and habits that are bound to destroy us.
What are some of the bad habits the Bible talks about? We read in 1 John 3:8 "When people keep on sinning it shows they belong to the devil". Sin is a habit that none of us can kick completely, but a pattern of sinful living shows that we may not be serious about following God. In Exodus 8:28-32 we read "All right Pharaoh replied I will let you go" But Pharaoh hardend his heart again and refused to let the people go". Pharaoh developed a bad habit of lying and wanting his own way. Both of these are habits, we can easerly slip into but they are disaterous. In Numbers 11:1 we read "The people soon began to complain about there hardships". The Israelites developed a bad habit of complaining. Regular can quickly turn into bitterness. In 1 Timothy 5:13 it states "They are likely to become lazy and spend there time gossiping". To much time and little to do can be fertile ground for bad habits. This idelness makes it easy to develop the bad habit of gossip, Here Paul was talking about widows, who had more time on there hands because the church supported them, But the principle applies to us all.
How do we deal with bad habits?
In Romans 7:14-25 we read "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate". Have you ever felt this way? Paul reveals to us one of the best ways to deal with bad habits. Recognise them for what they are and confess them honestly. Paul knew he could not kick the habit of sin over night. But he knew that with Gods help, He could make progress every day. In the same way we may have to give up a habit in phases, one day at a time. In 1 John 2:15 we read "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you". sin often appears lovely and attractive, in the same way. bad habits often feel good even though we know they are ultimately bad for us. Breaking a bad habit can be hard because we are loseing something we like. Understand that there may be a grieving process. but this pain over loseing a bad habit brings the deeper joy that we are doing what is pleasing to God. In Colossians 3:2 it states very clearly " Let Heaven fill your thoughts". We must replace a bad habit with something good.
How do we develop good habits?
In Hebrews 10:25 we read that " Let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do". Meeting people together as believers is a good habit because it provides fellowship with other belivers. It develops the habit of a group Bible study, It keeps us busy when otherwise we would be slipping into bad habits. and it offers an accountability group. We read in Geneses 26:12-25" Isaac's men then dug another well, but again there was a fight over it, Abandoning that one, he dug another well and the local people finally left him alone". Isaac pursued a habit of peace, In case, In this case it meant staying away from the source of the conflict, the Philistines even at great cost. In Psalm 28:6-8 it states as follows" The Lord is my strength and shield from every danger, I trust in him with all my heart, I burst into songs od thanksgiving". As a young boy David developed a habit of talking to God singing songs about him and writing Psalms, This helped him trust and follow God all of his life,
I will finsh by simply saying this keep on looking up to the light which is Jesus Christ and remember Jesus loves you all and has a plan for your lives. Sincerely in Christ. Clive (†_Matched_1†)