Have you found that while some unwanted habits disappeared when you got saved, there were others still present? Do you find even now, you can’t seem to get rid of some regardless of how hard you try? Perhaps, you are trying to develop some new habits, but they don’t’ seem to stick. All this flies in the face of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” There is one thing that might possibly be holding you back, or at least someone you know; your identity. Biblically, we know those who are in Christ are made new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), but mentally and emotionally you may still be attached to your old identity. And that is one reason to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). So, why would such an attachment affect your habits?
As a person thinks in his heart, so is he (see Proverbs 23:7). What you believe about yourself affects what you think and do. Therefore, whatever is attached to your identity will affect your habits. That means there will be the tendency to hold onto habits that coincide with the identity. “This is who I am, so this is what I do.” “This thing has always been part of me, so this is what I will always do.” It’s what you’re comfortable with. It’s a mindset planted in your brain that your conscience side may not be aware of. It’s a stronghold, and it exalts itself against the knowledge of God (see 2 Corinthian 3:10:3-5). It is what you take comfort in. For example, if you lived a certain way to please someone in order to get his or her affection, there would be certain attitudes and behaviors you would develop over time to meet his or her criteria. You would seek to become who he or she wanted you to be in order to get his or her affection. In many cases, it’s either a mom or a dad. Don’t confuse this with loving one more than another; it’s simply the desire for the attention and affection -the affirmation one has to offer. In general terms, it may be the one who gave the least attention. Regardless of who it may be, you would form certain habits that conforms to that identity. If you believe you are a certain way, it may be difficult to change even for the better. In the development of new habits, you may start out well, but something inside says, “Hey, wait a minute that’s not me!” And the habit is dropped like a hot potato. For some, they feel if they change, they would somehow betray the one whom they’ve been pleasing all these years. In short, they’re afraid to change for the better, so they hang onto undesired habits.
The things you tell yourself, affect what habits you keep, and which ones you develop. If you’ve been one who always put yourself down for whatever reason, you may find it difficult to let go of the mindsets that hold you back from moving forward. You may allow yourself to rise up to a certain height, but you will not ascend beyond that ceiling you set for yourself, because you can’t see yourself rising any higher. For instance, you may learn a lot about the Bible, but not as much as you could, because you constantly say to others and yourself, “I’m not a scholar.” That statement turns into an actual statement of belief, and viola, a stronghold is born! You will not dig as deep into the Word as you could, because it does not fit your thesis.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (read verses 7-12).
At some point, it is important to make the decision for follow Jesus full heartedly. With that decision comes the intentionality of conforming to His image. In order for that to happen, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him (see Matthew 16:24). If you want to gain true life, then you have to let go of the old -you have to lose it. Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. The more you conform to His image, the more you will think like Him. This is part of the renewal process.
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
The more you believe this passage of Scripture, the more your habits will change. One thing you can do that may help you with the renewing process is simply look into the mirror, and say, “You are everything God says you are -nothing more and nothing less!” “You can do everything God says you can do, and with Him all things are possible.” In short, the more you identify with God, the more change for the good you will experience.
