Unleashing the Power of Habits

B l a k e J e n n i n g s & C a r o l y n J o n e s

What is one bad habit you want to break this year?

What is one good habit you want to build this year?

1. A Defi nit ion of Habits

A choice that has become automatic

“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits.”William James, philosopher & psychologist

A choice that has become automaticA gift from God

Allow you to learn and growA gift damaged by sin

Can become a source of habitual evilCan lead to addiction

2. A Theology of Habits

Romans 6:15–16 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Repeated sins Habits Addictions Death

“All sin is addiction. Whether it's bitterness, whether it's envy, whether it's materialism, whether it's laziness, whether it's impurity — every sinful action becomes an addiction… exactly like addiction cycles and addiction dynamics begin to operate.”Timothy Keller, Sin as Slavery sermon

Repeated sins Habits Addictions DeathRepeated obedience Habits Sanctification

Philippians 2:12–13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

3. The Mechanics of Habits

The Habit Cycle

CRAVING

Routine

RewardCue

Routine

RewardCueCRAVING

FOR RELIEF

CRAVINGENDORPHINS,ACCOMPLISH-

MENT

Routine

RewardCue

Breaking a Habit

Routine

RewardCueCRAVING

FOR RELIEF

New Routine

RewardCueCRAVING

FOR RELIEF

Creating a Habit

New Routine

RewardCueCRAVING

FOR COFFEE

For the bad habit you want to break…• Identify at least one cue• Identify at least one reward

ResourcesThe Power of Habit by Charles DuhiggMastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne HarnishThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen

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