Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
04/08/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 200: Habits of Holiness, Part 1
The more we sin, the more we are inclined to sin. Every sin reinforces our habits. It makes sense: if we drop our guard, it will be easier for sin to win.
We need to realize how our habits influence our wills. Habits encourage us to keep doing the same things.
A habit is the dominant mood of our thoughts and feelings. Which way are we inclined to move when a force pushes on us?
Which way are we already leaning? Think of a sloped floor: which way will the ball roll? A sailboat will move in the direction that the prevailing winds blow.
Habits are the patterns engraved on our minds. Dirt roads are easy to follow because the wheels have worn 2 paths, as one traveler after another goes the same way.
Our internal habits are just as strong as external temptations, in the way they influence our desires & actions. John Owen said, “Every lust is a depraved habit which continually inclines our hearts to do evil.”
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
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