Breaking Bad Habits: Running the Race with Freedom
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Introduction
Alright, picture this: you’re playing tug-of-war against a team that’s way stronger than you. You’re pulling with everything you’ve got, but they keep dragging you closer and closer to the mud pit in the middle. That’s how bad habits feel sometimes. No matter how hard you try, it seems like they’re winning and you’re just getting dragged deeper. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us that we can let go of the things that weigh us down, rely on God’s strength, and focus on Jesus to move forward. Today, we’re going to talk about how to break bad habits that hold us back and replace them with ones that help us run the race of faith with freedom. Let’s get into it.
1. Bad Habits Weigh You Down
The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1, “Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us.”
Does anyone know what ensnares means?
To catch or trap in
Think about walking through deep mud. Each step gets harder, your feet feel heavier, and it’s almost impossible to make progress. Now imagine that mud represents the weight of bad habits in your life. Just as the mud clings to your shoes, slowing you down, bad habits cling to your spirit, making it harder to move forward with Jesus. That’s what bad habits do in our lives. They don’t just slow us down—they trap us, keeping us from moving forward with Jesus. Maybe for you, it’s gossiping about people at school, letting anger control your words, or spending way too much time glued to your phone. It’s not just the “big” sins that weigh us down; even the small things can keep us from running the race well.
Bad habits might seem harmless at first, but over time, they create patterns that are hard to break. Imagine tying a small rope around your wrist. At first, it’s loose and doesn’t bother you. But as you keep wrapping the rope tighter and tighter, it starts to hurt. Eventually, you can’t move your hand without feeling pain. That’s what bad habits do. They slowly tighten their grip until they control you.
Jesus offers a way out. In Matthew 11:28-30, He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This promise is more than just a comforting thought; it’s a practical invitation to surrender. Think about what it means to be burdened—carrying the weight of bad habits, stress, and guilt. Jesus is asking us to exchange that heavy load for His yoke, which is light and freeing. Practically, this means bringing those habits to Him in prayer, being honest about your struggles, and asking for His help to change. It’s not about fixing yourself before coming to Jesus—it’s about letting Him meet you in the mess and guide you toward freedom. When you start seeing Jesus not just as your Savior but also as your partner in transformation, you begin to experience the rest He promises. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus isn’t just offering to lighten your load—He’s offering to carry it for you. Can you imagine what it would feel like to hand over that weight? To let Him carry what you’ve been dragging around for so long?
Studies show that it takes an average of 66 days to break a habit. That’s over two months of intentionally choosing to let go of what’s holding you back. It’s not easy, but it’s possible when you rely on God’s strength. What’s the one thing God is asking you to lay down today? What would it look like to finally let go of it? Imagine waking up every day and feeling lighter, freer, and more focused on what truly matters. That’s the kind of life God wants for you.
God’s grace isn’t just about forgiveness; it’s about freedom. He didn’t save you so you could live weighed down by guilt, regret, or the bad habits that pull you away from Him. Imagine how much lighter you’d feel if you trusted Him with that burden. He’s ready to take it, but are you ready to give it up?
2. Breaking Habits Requires Endurance
Hebrews 12:1 goes on to say, “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.” Breaking a bad habit isn’t just about deciding to stop. It’s about deciding every single day to keep going, even when it’s hard. Think about learning to ride a bike. At first, it’s awkward and frustrating. You fall, you scrape your knees, and you feel like you’ll never get it. But if you keep getting back on, you eventually find your balance. Breaking a bad habit works the same way. It takes persistence, effort, and a whole lot of trust in God.
Endurance isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. Imagine a farmer planting seeds in dry soil. Each day, he goes out to water the ground, even though nothing seems to change. His neighbors might think he’s wasting his time, but the farmer trusts the process. He knows that beneath the surface, the seeds are taking root and preparing to grow. In the same way, when we endure in faith, even when it feels like nothing is happening, God is at work in us. The small, consistent steps we take today—choosing prayer over a bad habit, spending time in God’s Word, or practicing gratitude—are like watering seeds. Over time, those small choices add up, and eventually, we see the fruit of our perseverance. So, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Trust that God is working behind the scenes to grow something beautiful in your life. Day after day, he waters the ground, even though he doesn’t see any results. But then, one day, a small sprout breaks through the soil. That’s what endurance looks like. It’s about trusting that God is working, even when you can’t see it yet.
It’s like training for a marathon. You don’t wake up one day and run 26 miles. You start with small steps, gradually building your endurance. Some days are easier than others, but you keep going because the end goal is worth it. God is calling you to keep running your race, even when you feel like giving up. That includes breaking habits you thought you could never let go of. It includes enduring through tough days and trusting that God is working, even when you can’t see it.
Here’s something practical: studies show that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. If you’re serious about breaking a bad habit, write it down. Commit it to God in prayer. Tell a trusted friend who can encourage you and hold you accountable. You don’t have to do this alone, and you’re not meant to. The Christian life is a community effort, and God has placed people in your life to cheer you on and encourage you. What’s one habit you’re ready to start working on today? And are you willing to trust God with the tough parts?
Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.” God has a promise of freedom and victory waiting for you on the other side of this struggle. Keep going. The finish line is closer than you think.
3. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 gives us the key to breaking bad habits: “Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” You see, it’s not enough to just remove the bad habits. You have to replace them with something better. And the best thing you can focus on is Jesus. Imagine a tightrope walker, high above the ground. They don’t look down at their feet or at the crowd. They keep their eyes fixed on a point straight ahead. That’s how they stay steady. Fixing your eyes on Jesus is like that. When you focus on Him, you find balance, strength, and direction, even when life feels uncertain.
Think about Peter walking on water in Matthew 14. He was fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But the moment he looked at the waves and felt the wind, he started to sink. For us, those waves and winds might look like the pressure to fit in, the endless distractions of social media, or the stress of trying to meet everyone’s expectations. It’s so easy to let those things take our focus off Jesus. But just like Peter, when we refocus and cry out to Him, Jesus is there to reach out and pull us back up. What waves are distracting you today? How can you fix your eyes back on Jesus to stay steady in the storms? But the moment he looked at the wind and waves, he started to sink. The same is true for us. When we focus on Jesus, we can overcome anything. But when we focus on our problems or fears, we start to sink. So what does it look like to keep your eyes on Jesus? It’s about replacing bad habits with good ones. If you’ve been spending too much time on your phone, replace that time with reading your Bible or praying. If you’ve been struggling with negativity, start practicing gratitude. These small changes can make a huge difference over time.
What if every time you were tempted to fall back into a bad habit, you stopped and prayed instead? How would that change your life? Jesus doesn’t just give us the strength to overcome; He gives us the direction we need to stay on the right path. It’s like planting seeds. The more time you spend with Jesus, the stronger your faith grows. You may not see the results right away, but over time, those seeds of good habits will grow into something beautiful. What’s one good habit you can start this week to help you keep your eyes on Jesus?
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line: bad habits don’t have to define you. Hebrews 12:1-2 shows us that we can lay them down, run with endurance, and keep our eyes on Jesus. So what’s your next step? Write down one bad habit you want to let go of this week. Then write down one good habit you can replace it with. Pray about it, and trust God to give you the strength to keep going. Let’s pray:
God, we know we all have bad habits that weigh us down and keep us from living the life You’ve called us to. Help us to lay those habits aside, to run with endurance, and to fix our eyes on Jesus. Give us the strength to keep going, even when it’s hard, and remind us that You are always with us. We love You, Lord, and we thank You for the freedom You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
It’s time to stop pulling against what holds you back. Reflect on what we’ve talked about today: first, identify the habits that are weighing you down and surrender them to Jesus. Next, embrace endurance by trusting God through the hard days and staying committed to the race He has set before you. Finally, fix your eyes on Jesus, replacing bad habits with ones that draw you closer to Him. Let go of the things weighing you down, fix your eyes on Jesus, and run the race with freedom, knowing that God is with you every step of the way!