We all have those habits—the ones we know we should quit but somehow keep coming back to. Maybe it’s procrastination, stress-eating, endless social media scrolling, or falling into negative self-talk. We try to stop, but before we know it, we’re right back in the same cycle.
But here’s the thing—breaking bad habits isn’t just about willpower. It’s about inviting God into the process, learning self-discipline, and making small, intentional changes every day.
In Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Decluttering Your Home and Heart, we talked about removing physical and spiritual clutter from our lives. Now, let’s dive into the habits that hold us back from living the full, abundant life God desires for us.
Table of Contents
Why Are Bad Habits So Hard to Break?
Bad habits aren’t just random behaviors—they’re deeply wired into our routines, emotions, and even our identity. That’s why they’re so tough to shake.
Think about it:
- You feel stressed, so you open Instagram to escape for a few minutes (which turns into an hour).
- You feel bored, so you grab snacks even though you’re not hungry.
- You feel overwhelmed, so you procrastinate instead of tackling the task in front of you.
This is called the habit loop:
Cue → Routine → Reward
The cue (stress) triggers a routine (scrolling, snacking, procrastinating), which gives us a temporary sense of relief. But in the long run, it keeps us stuck.
Even the Apostle Paul struggled with habits he wanted to change. He writes in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.”
Sound familiar?
The truth is, bad habits often reveal a deeper struggle—a place in our lives where we’re seeking comfort, control, or distraction instead of turning to God. But here’s the good news: God doesn’t leave us in our struggles. He gives us a way out.
How Do Habits Define a Person?
Habits aren’t just something we do—they shape who we become.
Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” In other words, the things we repeatedly do and think about shape our character, mindset, and even our future.
- A person who constantly complains starts seeing the world through a negative lens.
- A person who regularly speaks encouragement becomes someone others turn to for support.
- A person who procrastinates often may start seeing themselves as incapable or stuck.
The good news? Just as bad habits can shape us negatively, godly habits can transform us for the better. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
So ask yourself: What kind of person do I want to become? The habits we choose today determine the life we live tomorrow.
The Role of Temptation in Bad Habits
Temptation isn’t just about obvious sins—it’s anything that pulls us away from God’s best for us. And guess what? We all face it.
The Bible gives us two important truths about temptation:
- Temptation starts small, but it leads to bigger struggles.
- “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14-15
- God always provides a way out.
- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation doesn’t have to control you—you have the power, through Christ, to resist it.
What’s Your Trigger?
Take a moment to think about what triggers your bad habits:
- Stress → Do you turn to food, entertainment, or distractions?
- Boredom → Do you procrastinate or waste time on things that don’t matter?
- Loneliness → Do you isolate yourself or fall into comparison?
Identifying why you turn to certain habits is the first step toward breaking free.
How to Break Bad Habits with Biblical Discipline
It’s time to replace those bad habits with God-honoring ones. But how do we actually do that?
Step 1: Start with Prayer & Surrender
Breaking bad habits and overcoming temptations isn’t a solo mission—it starts with inviting God into the process.
Try this prayer: “Lord, I know this habit isn’t serving me. Help me surrender it to You. Give me the strength to resist temptation and replace it with something that honors You. Amen.”
The more you depend on God, the stronger you’ll become in moments of weakness.
Step 2: Get to the Root of the Habit
Ask yourself: Why do I keep coming back to this habit?
- Comfort? → Instead of stress-eating, turn to God’s promises in Scripture.
- Escape? → Instead of binge-watching Netflix, take a walk and pray.
- Control? → Instead of obsessing over perfection, surrender your plans to God.
The Bible says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” – Psalm 139:23-24
Let God reveal what’s at the root of your struggle.
Step 3: Replace the Habit with Something Better
The best way to break a habit? Swap it for a new one.
Instead of scrolling social media → Read a chapter of the Bible.
Instead of impulse spending → Put that money into savings.
Instead of complaining → Start a gratitude journal.
Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to “put off your old self” and be “made new in the attitude of your minds.”
It’s not just about stopping bad habits—it’s about creating new, life-giving ones.
Step 4: Find Accountability & Support
We weren’t meant to do life alone. Find someone who will check in on you and encourage you.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
- Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Whether it’s a mentor, friend, or small group, having support makes a huge difference.
Step 5: Celebrate Progress & Give Yourself Grace
Breaking bad habits and overcoming temptation is a journey—not an overnight fix.
- Celebrate small wins: If you go a week without falling into your old habit, thank God for the progress.
- Don’t beat yourself up over setbacks: The Bible says, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” – Proverbs 24:16
God’s grace is bigger than your failures! Keep moving forward.
Final Encouragement: You Are Not Stuck
Breaking free from bad habits and temptations isn’t easy, but it is possible.
The key? You don’t have to do it alone. God is with you every step of the way, offering His strength, His wisdom, and His grace.
Take Action Today
- Write down one bad habit/temptation you want to break.
- Download our 30-day Scripture List
- Find one verse to memorize that encourages you.
- Pray daily for God’s strength to overcome it.
Let’s do this together! Share in the comments—what habit/temptation are you asking God to help you break?
