Question:   Why are some bad habits so hard to break, even for Christians?

Answer:  God allows us to make our own choices.  We can choose to do the right things according to His holy word, or we can make decisions that go against God’s word.  Many people will make a convincing case for how much they want to be better people and have a better life.  They will tell you that they want to be free of the problems in their lives and free from feeling burdened down.  However, if you observe how they actually live their lives,  you’d soon realize that they talk a good talk, but they don’t walk the walk.

People will say one thing and do another.  For example, we all know overeating can lead to being overweight and having health problems.  People will admit to eating too much, and they even make New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight.  Oftentimes, these people fail to keep these resolutions after just a couple of months.  They choose to go back to their unhealthy habits.  Or, take the example of the person who says they want to get out of debt and get their finances in good order.    They may even attempt to follow a monthly budget.  However, as soon as they have to make a choice between getting rid of their favorite treats, like expensive hobbies, shopping sprees, or pricey vacations to save money, they resort to charging all these things on their credit cards and increasing, not decreasing, their bondage of debt.

This bad decision-making can extend to other areas of our lives as well.  You hear people say they want everything from stronger families and better schools to good jobs and safer neighborhoods.  Believers know that we can choose to just throw up our hands in defeat against the bad situations in our communities and stay in bondage to the current negative conditions  in our society or follow God’s word concerning these issues.

In John chapter 8:31-32, Jesus says, “…If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (NIV)   Christians know that Jesus doesn’t lie.   Why then are so many of us still in bondage to our bad choices, even when we have the truth presented to us?  It’s because we sometimes prefer to reject the truth.  In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Apostle Paul says, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (NIV)

Instead, Christians must embrace God’s truth in how we are to live our lives.  In doing so, we are made free.  Galatians 5:1 says “Stand firm in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  By accepting Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as our Lord and Savior, asking Him to forgive our sins , and choosing to live our lives to please Him, we are being released from the bondage of sin.  Let us, therefore, study God’s word, embrace His truth, and allow His truth to set us free!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    http://www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   http://www.cbn.com

World Magazine        www.worldmag.com