Faith that Replaces My Bad Habits
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Read Psalm 91 Affirmations together
Faith that Works series…
18 But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.”
Faith that doesn’t work is useless
Faith that doesn’t work is useless
So far, we have learned how to have a faith that isn’t defeated by problems… problems test our faith; develop our endurance; grow our character… rejoice in our problems; Ask God for Wisdom; Trust God to help us; Remember and rest upon God’s promises.
We have also learned how our faith can make tough choices easier. When we put our faith in God, he gives us wisdom (God first, Apply WOG, Surround self with Godly people); He frees us from doubts; he acts on our behalf; He uses my mistakes.
This week we will shift gears a little bit. Faith that replaces my bad habits.
When we are under extreme stress, as we all are during most of this year so far, we begin to look for and practice coping strategies … not all of which are good for us that will ease our anxiety. Unfortunately, most of the time, our strategies make things worse and they become bad habits.
James, who was dealing with persecution from the Roman Empire, is going to give us some steps we can take to prevent ourselves from developing bad habits that are self defeating and leave us discouraged and defeated.
Today we will learn how our faith can replace bad habits with good ones.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
The point I want to make is this...
We are not Powerless to temptations that come our way.
We are not Powerless to temptations that come our way.
God has not left us powerless to overcome the things that distract us or drive us when we are stressed to think and act in self defeating ways.
4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Our FAITH is what wins the victory. This is why we are doing this series, Faith that Works.
John is telling us that we can defeat the evil in this world. We know that we will never be perfect, but we can defeat evil.
If you have a particular habit, or a particular temptation, or particular distraction that is your downfall and you tend to go back to it over and over every time you're under stress, you're probably going to have that the rest of your life. But you are not helpless.
I am going to share some steps you can take to keep on track so that you do not fall to these temptations that come your way.
Steps to Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits
Steps to Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits
1. Learn your “go-to” coping strategy
1. Learn your “go-to” coping strategy
It’s important to know how you typically stumble… your “go-to” strategy.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Sin that easily trips us up is referring to those temptations that we fall to way too often. It might be eating, or working to keep from going home, drinking or using drugs to medicate… something that we do that we don’t want to do and we do it over and over again.... This is your “go-to coping strategy.
Temptation is a distraction to do something less than something better… to do something wrong instead of something right.... something is actually self defeating and leads you away from a sincere and real relationship with the Lord.
Food… Drinking… Sleep… Shopping… Binge TV… Gaming… Drugs…
Gambling… Porn… Over-controlling… Withdrawing… Angry Outbursts
Some people eat when they are under stress… comfort food...
Some resort to drinking when they are under stress…
Some resort to sleep when they are stressed and tend to stay in bed more
Some resort to shopping when they are under stress… retail therapy
Some resort to Binge watching TV
Some will resort to video games or gaming… drugs, gambling… Porn
Other’s will resort to trying to CONTROL everything. They feel out of control so they try to control everything so they will feel back in control.
Some will withdraw from everyone and everything.
Some will fall into angry outburst… maybe even domestic violence.
All of these are unhealthy coping strategies and it’s important that we learn what they are for us.
2. Learn your triggers
2. Learn your triggers
What makes you vulnerable?
If you are going to overcome your negative coping strategies, you have to know what triggers them… those things that make you vulnerable to a particular temptation.
One of the keys to defeating temptations is not to focus on them. Don’t focus on the behavior you don’t like. Instead focus on what you were feeling and what you were thinking that caused those actions.
Every action is caused by an emotion and every emotion is caused by a thought. If you want to change the way you act, you have to change the you feel and if you want to change the way you feel, you have to change the way you think.
Satan loves to mess with your emotions. Advertisers know this that’s why commercials play on your emotions. Satan is a master manipulator of your emotions and the main tool he uses against you are NEGATIVE EMOTIONS. Negative Emotions give him a foothold into your life.
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Your heart is the center of your emotions… your passions… You are far more vulnerable to temptations when you are in certain emotional states. Everyone is different, so here is a list of emotional states...
Physically Exhausted. . . Discouraged & Pessimistic. . . Bored or Discontented Spiritually Dry or Empty. . . Lonely or Disconnected. . . Insecure or Unsure. . . Wounded or hurt. . . Resentful. . . Sad or Grieving a loss. . .
AS you look at these, you may think… that’s me.
Most people become more susceptible to temptation when they are exhausted. That's why, during this COVID-19 crisis, you've got to make sure you get your sleep, you eat right, you exercise, that you don't wear yourself out. The more exhausted you are, the more likely you are to do something you regret.
Many People are also open to temptation when they are discouraged. They become negative and pessimistic...
Maybe it’s when you are bored or discontented… spiritually dry…
You need to learn what triggers you to stumble… your triggers…
3. Learn your patterns
3. Learn your patterns
Just like each of us has unique finger prints, we all have a unique pattern of temptation. Here is what I mean. Everyone has a unique temptation that they are more susceptible too. Certain situations tempt you more than others… but may not be a temptation to others.
If you can identify the types of situations and people that bring you to a weak point in temptation, you can protect yourself against those problems ahead of time.
8 The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.
When, Where, Who, What, How
When am I most tempted?
When am I most tempted?
Day of the Week… time of the day… morning or late…
Are you someone that can handle a diet until lunch time?
Where am I most tempted?
Where am I most tempted?
Work? Kitchen? in front of a computer? TV? beach? Bar?
You need to identify where you are the most tempted. Then stay away from those places. If you don’t want to get stung by bees, stay away from bees.
Who is with me when I am most tempted?
Who is with me when I am most tempted?
Alone? with a group? co-workers? crowd of strangers? Family?
What temporary benefit do I get if I give in?
What temporary benefit do I get if I give in?
What do you get when you give in? porn… drinking… controlling… anger...
Do you get comfort? Relief? Does it bring excitement? false confidence?
25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Sin is fun for a minute… if it wasn’t, no one would ever sin. So identify the payoff… temporary as it is.
How do I feel right before being tempted?
How do I feel right before being tempted?
Are you tempted when you are frustrated? Angry? lonely?
It’s important to know your emotional triggers… then
4. Plan to avoid those situations
4. Plan to avoid those situations
26 Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. 27 Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.
IOW, if you know that is a particular situation, you are more susceptible to temptation, avoid it. If you know a situation will make you angry… exaggerate… lie… to control… to be resentful… to be jealous… avoid those situations.
ILL - If you are on a diet, you don’t go have coffee in an Icee cream shop to do work. You carry healthy snacks with you… you plan head.
Sometimes even though you plan you will get hit out of the blue with temptations… that’s when you.
Conclusion
Learn my go to coping strategies.
Learn my emotional triggers
Discover my patterns of temptation.
Plan to Avoid those situations
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Prayer