DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
Everyone develops habits in their lives: good ones and bad ones. But the phrase, “That’s just a bad habit,” can be a cover-up for a long-term pattern of sin. In fact, the “bad habit” is often a stronghold in our lives to which Satan has access. So our enemy can keep us from the victory Jesus wrought 2,000 years ago. A bad habit is a physical pattern that can be harmful to us and displeasing to God. Often it’s something that’s been haunting us since childhood. How do these habits get into our lives, and how can we know freedom from them?
First, not all habits are bad. We often have good habits that are necessary to function. If we eat regularly and consistently, that’s a good habit and a part of our natural makeup. But if we eat obsessively, then eating becomes a bad habit that is ultimately destructive. A bad habit can be an extreme practice of something that’s normally healthy.
Some people think if we have enough willpower, we can overcome our bad habits. It’s true that some people have an enormous amount of willpower. But I’ve never met anyone with the ability to overcome all their patterns of bad behavior. The only human with that kind of ability to ever grace this planet is Jesus. He alone holds the key to victory over every bad habit. Only Jesus can set us free from the bad habits that stalk us.
When I was a single university student, I met a beautiful girl who wanted to be elected freshman class secretary. Originally from the state of Texas, she had acquired the nickname “Tex.” Her inward personality was as beautiful as her outward appearance. But she had one very serious bad habit: she smoked constantly. Cigarette smoking had been a part of her actions since high school, though she knew it would ultimately destroy her body.
One night, after God had been speaking to her heart, she went to her dorm room and cried out to the Lord, “O God, I need you. I place my faith in your Son, Jesus. Come and dwell in my heart.” In that moment, a miracle took place. No, she didn’t see a flash of lightening or handwriting on a wall. But the King of kings took residence in her life. He became the source of her victory, including victory over smoking. What she was unable to do by human willpower, God did in her by His power. She began to experience victory. Though Satan had a stronghold on her through tobacco, he was no match for God.
I’ve seen alcoholics find freedom from their addiction through Christ. I have watched the most hardened drug abusers discover victory over addiction by the power of Jesus. Whatever it may be, Jesus provides the victory over every bad habit — no matter how large or how small. It doesn’t matter how impossible it may seem to overcome, the habit’s not too big for God. He specializes in the impossible. Jesus said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 kjv). What habit continues to drag you down? Look to Jesus. He will raise you to victory over any bad habit.
John : Chapter 8
31) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33) They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34) Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35) Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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