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Bad Habits that Keep Us Poor and Separate Us from God

Bill Fix
01/12/20 - Sunday

  • Habits
    • Automatic behavior that we don’t think about
    • 43% of daily activities
      • Do you actively think about tying your shoes or brushing your teeth?
      • Did you decide to come to church this morning or do so out of habit?
    • Good/Bad Habits – Align with New Year Resolutions…
    • Saw how “bad habits that keep you poor” also hurt us other ways
  • Ignoring the situation
    • Need to honestly assess the situation and make a plan of action
    • Take action – Jm. 1:22-25
    • Conforming to world keeps us trapped; must be transformed – Rom. 12:1-2
  • Misteaching of money management
    • Might not get taught at home or school—may need to seek out mentor
    • Prov. 19:20
    • Help each other – Jm. 5:16
  • Not sharpening your mind
    • Can’t accomplish much with a dull blade
    • Read, study, & meditate on Word – Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; Phil. 4:8; Eph. 6:15, 17
  • Depending on will power
    • How strong is yours?  NOT AS STRONG AS WE WOULD LIKE…
    • Will power will break, so set up systems to allow you to succeed
    • Remember we aren’t tempted beyond capability – 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 5:7
    • Avoid sin/situations where temptation may occur
  • Justifying expenses
    • We find ways to justify everything, but it doesn’t mean it’s correct.
    • “I’ve already started… might as well do some more.”
    • Can’t justify sin – Lk. 16:15; Must be cleansed – 1 Jn. 1:9
    • Count the cost – Lk. 14:28-33
  • Not measuring your progress
    • What is measured is what is improved
    • Don’t grow weary – Gal. 6:9
  • Present bias
    • Spend now & don’t worry about later—The future will take care of itself
    • Commit to saving first in IRA or account with no debit card to protect from “stupid me”
    • Eternal future is most important – 1 Tim. 4:8
    • Seek first kingdom of God – Mt. 6:33
  • Breaking a bad habit
    • Assess situation, make plan, & pray – Rom. 7:19-25
    • Consider short-term & eternal consequences of sinful habit if unchanged
    • Pray when tempted – 2 Cor. 12:10
    • Replace bad habit with healthy/wholesome alternative – Mt. 12:43-45
    • Tell friend (accountability, encouragement, etc.)

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