Breaking Old Habits

Driven by jealousy and fear, Saul and his army pursued David. Then, one night when Saul was sleeping, David snuck into their camp and took a spear and jug of water. After returning to safety, David shouted to Saul, asking why he was being pursued. Acknowledging that he had “sinned” and “committed a serious error,” Saul promised to stop pursuing David. He changed for a short time. But soon was chasing David again.

Many people are like Saul. They change for a short time but cannot shake the pull of old habits.

Paul had a similar experience. Feeling powerless, he confessed, “I am not practicing what I would want to do, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). But this realization helped him realize that he couldn’t change in his own strength. He needed Jesus.

People deal with frustrations like these in a variety of ways. But God offers us a different, more effective way. This begins when we recognize our weaknesses and realize that we cannot change by ourselves. We must confess our sins and make Jesus Lord of our lives, be filled with the Spirit, and live according to God’s Word.

As Paul discovered, our flesh may be weak, but we can do “all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Our power comes through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Don’t live in condemnation or failure. Look to Jesus!