How to Defeat Harmful Habits (Counseling Through the Bible Series) by June Hunt Read Free Book Online

children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults”
    (1 C ORINTHIANS 14:20).
C. What Excuses Keep You Hooked?
    Steroids seemingly surrounded Marion Jones. Everybody else seemed to be doing it…
    Marion’s ex-husband, C.J. Hunter, was busted for using performance-enhancing drugs. Tim Montgomery, the father of her son, was stripped of his world record in the 100 meters. But she ultimately realized that there were no excuses to be made. “I am responsible fully for my actions. I have no one to blame but myself for what I’ve done.” 35 Her words reflect what is said in God’s Word:

“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
    (H EBREWS 12:1-2).
     
    Just as behavior comes from beliefs, so do the excuses we make to justify our behavior, habits, and addictions. It logically follows that the lies we believe also generate the excuses we give for not breaking bad behaviors.

    W HAT E XCUSES A RE Y OU G IVING ?

    “This makes me feel better; and besides, I deserve it.”
    “A lot of people do this; after all, no one is perfect.”
    “This habit is caused by my past. I really can’t help it.”
    “It’s useless to try to change or quit.”
    “I can control this anytime. I’ll change when I’m ready.”
    “I don’t want to try to quit and risk finding out I can’t.”
    “Doing it one last time won’t make any difference.”
    “What I’m doing is not really that bad. A lot of people do worse things.”
    “I’ve not been able to change before, so why try now?”
    “Everyone needs at least one vice.”
    “If I give this up, something worse will just take its place.”
    “This is not a good time for me to try to change.”
    “I don’t have time to focus on this right now.”
    “As soon as I have a sign from God, I’ll change.”
     
    Ultimately you will lose the war with wrong habits if you continue to make excuses for prioritizing yourself or others over pleasing the Lord. Take heed lest you become like those the prophet Jeremiah describes:

“They followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward”
    (J EREMIAH 7:24).
Habit vs. Addiction
    Q UESTION: “What is the difference between a common habit and a compulsive addiction?”
    A NSWER: With any behavior, repetition leads to the forming of a habit that then develops into an addiction. The difference between a repeated habit and an enslaving addiction is the amount of time it takes from your everyday life and the power it has over you.
    If the behavior has mastery over your life, then it is an addiction. But if you are determined to do what is right, God will give you the power to either gain and maintain mastery over the behavior or stop it.

“Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace”
    (R OMANS 6:14).
Addictive Personality
    Q UESTION: “What does it mean when someone is said to have an addictive personality?”
    A NSWER: The term addictive personality is generally applied to individuals who are prone to form multiple addictions. They are believed to possess certain genetic and psychological influences that make them vulnerable to developing substance and/or behavioral addictions. The apostle Peter’s instruction to first-century Christians is pertinent to all of us today, and especially to those suffering with addictions:
     
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”
    (1 P ETER 5:8).
D. What Is the Root Cause?
    Marion Jones recognized her need for change, and others recognized her need for a second chance. Marion eventually