Quotes about Habits

1

Habits are the thought and emotional patterns engraved on our minds. These internal habit patterns play just as forceful a role as external influences on our actions – in fact, perhaps more so.

2

Because we are sinful by nature, we have developed sinful patterns, which we call habits. Discipline is required to break any habit. If a boy has developed the wrong style of swinging a baseball bat, he cannot just decide to change instantly. He has developed a certain habit, and much discipline – much correction and training – is required to break that bad habit and develop a new one. In the same way, our patterns of disobedience to God have been developed over a number of years and are not broken easily or without discipline. Discipline does not mean gritting your teeth and saying, “I’ll not do that anymore.” Rather, discipline means structured, planned training. Just as you need a plan for regular Bible reading or study, so you need a plan for applying the Word to your life.

3

Jesus said, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). We must honestly face the question, “Am I willing to give up a certain practice or habit that is keeping me from holiness?” It is at this point of commitment that most of us fail. We prefer to dally with sin, to try to play with it a little without getting too deeply involved.

4

Principles in breaking sinful habits and acquiring new ones:

1. Habits are developed and reinforced by frequent repetition.

2. Never let an exception occur.

3. Diligence in all areas is required to ensure success in one area.

4. Don’t be discouraged by failure.

5

Any act often repeated soon forms a habit; and a habit allowed steady gains in strength. At first it may be but as a spider’s web, easily broken through, but if not resisted it soon binds us with chains of steel.

6

The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special exertions, but by his habitual acts.

7

Habit is overcome by habit.

8

Failure to establish good spiritual habits will lead to poor spiritual health.

9

First we build our habits; then our habits build us.

10

Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with.