Have you ever thought about how you can constantly find yourself doing certain things that you know very well it is hurting your life but you cannot seem to stop it? Well, I have and at some point, I decided to put an end to such things. Such things in this blog I refer to as self-sabotaging habits.

 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

Romans 7:15

What is Self?

As a child of God, your  “self” is who God has made you be in Christ Jesus. In the book of Ephesians, Paul says to the church in Ephesus, put on the new self that is created to be like God in true holiness and righteousness (ref. Ephesians 4:24). Our new self is born by the Spirit of God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ to live victoriously in Him.

Habits & Actions

As humans, we are naturally driven to take action and do things. Most of the actions we take are repeated patterns that we call habits. It’s essential to ensure that all our actions align with God’s will as our habits influence our outcomes and shape who we are. The goal of our new selves is to live in true holiness and righteousness, reflecting the glory of God. However, we often face opposition when trying to fulfill God’s will. In this blog, we’ll discuss the self-sabotaging habits that can prevent us from reflecting God’s glory in our new selves. Every person on Earth has a unique purpose to fulfill, and certain actions must be taken to achieve this purpose. But due to our fleshly desires, we may find ourselves engaging in activities that hinder us from reaching our destiny in Christ.

Four (4) Steps to break self-sabotaging habits

In this blog, I will share four (4) steps I have found in my walk with God that helps me to break the habits in my life that seek to sabotage my new self.

The first step is that I acknowledge that I have a habit

I always aim to stay humble and acknowledge when I have a habit that prevents me from reflecting on my identity as a child of God. The Spirit of God convicts my heart when something is wrong and needs to change. Additionally, God often uses others to reveal areas in my life that do not align with His will. To receive this knowledge, it is crucial to remain humble and seek God’s righteousness. When you accept that there is something in your life that needs to change in order to fulfill God’s will, you experience true repentance.

In the Bible, David experienced true repentance when he sinned and realized that the sin was not in line with God’s will. He acknowledged his wrongdoing and confessed to God.

Psalm 32:5 – I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Dear one, always remember that you are in a constant battle, and the enemy and his forces are determined to destroy your life. The enemy may tempt you to develop habits that can sabotage your life, so it’s essential to be vigilant and recognize these habits to break them. Any habit that prevents you from aligning with God’s will is a hindrance that pulls you away from Him. It is vital to set your mind to overcome this battle by preparing to attain victory over these habits.

The second step is I seek the Lord’s Help

 Change as many of us might have encountered is hard but with God all things are possible. In the Bible verse Psalm 32:5, David knew His problem was only solvable by God alone and so must we understand as children of God that only God holds the power to true deliverance.

 John 8:36 He who the Son sets free is free indeed.

Our burdens, problems, and all situations can only be solved by God alone. When we seek the Lord’s help through prayer, we cry out to Him for His delivering power to break the hold of any habit over our lives. God promises in His word that He will save us when we cry out to Him (Psalm 34:17). I have never seen or heard of anyone who sought the Lord and was disappointed. True faithfulness in waiting upon the Lord will always bring His power to manifest in any situation.

Just like David, when we confess our sins and seek God’s help, we surrender to His might and power to manifest in our lives. Dear one, you cannot do it based on your ability, not by any mere sophisticated methods but only by the grace of God. I do not know what habits you want to break in your life, but right now, cry out to God and He will deliver you.

God will use people, resources, many avenues, and even instant deliverance, but in all, it is God who saves us. Whatever seems to be a hold over your life at this point, Jesus Christ is calling you:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28- 28

The third step is I yield to the Spirit of God

When I seek God, He speaks to me through His word to teach me what I ought to do and He provides the grace to obey His word. The Spirit of God comes to help us to live as Christ wants us to live. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Harken to the voice of the Spirit of God that convicts you when you stray from the path of God. God the Holy Spirit is here with me and you to help us live in obedience to God. Let us yield to His power and Lordship always and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh – Galatians 5:16. Dear one, make the Spirit of God your companion, let Him direct you, lead you, chasten you and help you to live victoriously in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:16-18 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law

The last step is I set my heart daily to examine myself

Always reading the word of God and yielding to the Spirit. As long as you live in this world, fleshly desires are bound to come our way but it is God’s power at work in us that helps us to overcome. Daily in my prayers, I seek God’s mercy to search me and purify me from all that do not align with His word.

David prayed this way,

Psalm 139: 23 –Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Paul’s letter to the church  at Philippi,

Philippians 2:12 –Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

This is what I do in my assessment to ensure my daily routines and habits are in God’s purpose and plan for my life.
We ought to always be Christ-conscious. Apostle Paul did His this way, He disciplined His body, do not allow fleshly habits to prevent you from reaching the goal of the Kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 9:27-27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Beloved, you are dearly loved by Jesus Christ, for He gave His life that you may be saved. Stay blessed.