5 Habits of Strong Christians
Wouldn't it be nice if, after we accepted Jesus into our lives, we automatically had habits to live the Christian lifestyle we are called to have? However, we are all a work in progress. You will not find one person on the face of the earth that is walking the way Jesus did. We can certainly come close, but in our humanity, we mess up all the time.
Christian habits, like all habits, take effort and time to establish. We must practice them consistently to grow and step into the fullness of what God has for us here on earth. Yes, Heaven will be more than we could ever hope or imagine, but we are to take part in the kingdom of Heaven right now.
Listen On the Podcast
The Narrow Gate
Jesus preached in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Some believe this scripture talks about getting into Heaven, but that isn't true. This verse talks about two different paths that we have a choice to take. When we get to Heaven, there won't be a choice to get off the path and head to destruction.
Therefore, Jesus is referring to how we live here. He echoes what God told the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants my live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
We still have this choice in front of us every day. Choosing life – choosing the narrow road takes building life-giving habits into your daily routines and lifestyle. It means leaving some things behind that might gratify our flesh but will cause harm to us in the long run.
Last week I covered my 5 "power habits" that I put in every morning.
Master my schedule and time
Praise and Thanksgiving
Reading the Bible
Prayer and Confessing the Word
Exercise
My morning routine sets me on the "narrow road" to choose life. However, I want to cover five more habits that will help develop us as Christians and walk in the blessing laid out before us – the path of life and life more abundantly.
The Habit of Our Words
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Do you see that? What we say helps us choose life, choose the "narrow road."
Proverbs previously says in verses 7-8, "A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are trap for his life. A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being" (CSB). The Bible is full of scripture after scripture about the importance of our words. Complaining (Phil 2:14) and gossiping are just two examples of how our words snare and keep us from living in the blessing God has prepared for us.
The Habit of Walking in the Spirit
Galatians 5:16 says, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." I love how the Passion Translation reads, "Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life."
The key is to yield to the Holy Spirit. Whether you yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is your choice. He won't force you to do anything that is against your will. We have to yield to following His voice. This is why Jesus lived sinlessly – He walked in the Spirit, yielding to Him, following His promptings 24/7. There wasn't a time He did things His own way (as Frank Sinatra sings). Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to walk in LOVE, and the only way to do that successfully is to yield to the Holy Spirit on the inside of us.
The Habit of Seeking Him
Last week I addressed seeking God in the morning – the first part of your day by praying and reading His Word. However, truly seeking God is about inquiring of Him and seeking His wisdom throughout the day with every situation you face.
I encourage you to read all of Proverbs chapter 4, which talks about seeking the path of wisdom and understanding. Verse 7 declares, "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." It paints a picture of being in motion – walking along a path and seeking wisdom (God) in every step and turn. This also takes the discipline of hearing God's voice which can be learned and practiced as it should be.
The Habit of Giving
Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Here's the thing – giving is another "gate" of saying yes to the blessing in your life. Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."
We all know that God has all the resources He needs. He's not looking for your finances to help Him out! Everything is already His – so what is He talking about in this scripture? They had robbed Him bestowing the blessing on them. You see, tithing and giving are about opening the door of blessing and life into your life. Do you have to do it? No, but again it's a way for us to choose life because we choose to do things God's way. Verse 10-11 says, "' Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,' Says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field."
We literally rob God of the opportunity to pour out His blessing when we keep our tithe and offerings to ourselves. This doesn't just mean with money either. We can give of our time and talents as well! When your pastor asks for help, do you shrink back and hope you don't make eye contact, or are you willing to serve God through serving your pastor and church?
The Habit of Going to Church
Speaking of church. The local body needs you, and you need them! I totally agree that you can feel God just as much, if not more, in nature as in church. But going to church isn't just about you and what you get out of it.
Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." I think we would all agree that our world is not getting any better. In fact, we can count on it getting worse until the DAY when Jesus comes. The enemy is trying everything He can to break up the body of Christ and destroy the church.
When I was a kid, Sundays were a holy day. Few stores were open, and you wouldn't think of having a sporting event that day. But as time passes, meeting with other believers has become a "nice to do" but not "need to do." We have become a society about what works best for "me" and "mine." We forget that the primary purpose of attending church isn't necessarily for what you get out of it. We should go because we are considering others, to stir up love and good works, and to exhort each other, building each other up. The church needs you. Your pastor needs you!
I tell you what, it's very discouraging when as pastors, we prepare a full-course meal, and only a few come to receive it. My husband and I used to get so frustrated with the lack of attendance or progress in the dear people He called us to shepherd. But then God spoke to our hearts this simple truth. We are only responsible for preaching and teaching the Word; it's out of our control who receives it. That being said, receive the Word that is given each week. Serve with your talents and your time. Make it a habit to start each week with the body of believers God called you to be a part of.
Becoming a strong Christian is just that – a process of becoming. There are many habits we need to develop as Christians. Still, these are foundational habits that will also help you grow in other areas.
What habits do you feel are most important to build as a Christian? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.