Developing Positive Habits in the Christian Life
Introduction
A. Defining Positive Habits A habit is not a single act but a repeated pattern of behavior that eventually becomes part of our identity. Positive Christian habits are those spiritual disciplines and character traits that align us with the heart of God.
B. The Divine Testimony In the celestial court, God issued a challenge to Satan, asking, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him" (Job 1:8; 2:3). God did not just highlight Job’s wealth or his family; He highlighted his consistent character.
C. The Secret of Job’s Success The question we must ask is: What habits led to such a profound testimony from the Creator? Job’s life was not a series of accidents; it was a structure of holy habits.
D. Our Path to Approval If we identify and develop these same positive habits, we too can live a life that receives God’s approval and stands firm against the storms of life.
I. The Habit of Integrity
Job 1:1 — "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job; this man was blameless and upright..."
A. What Does it Mean to be Blameless (Integrity)?
The word used for Job is tam, which implies being complete, sound, and spiritually mature. It does not mean sinless perfection, but rather a "whole" life—one that is the same in public as it is in private.
B. The Dimensions of Integrity
• Before God: We are called to be blameless before the Lord our God (Deuteronomy 18:13).
• Reflecting the Father: Our goal is to be complete, as our heavenly Father is complete (Matthew 5:48).
• Spiritual Unity: Integrity brings us into complete unity with Christ (John 17:23).
• Maturity through Trials: Letting perseverance finish its work so we are mature and complete (James 1:4).
C. Developing the Habit
Integrity is built through the Word of God, which equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It requires practicing what we learn daily until it becomes an instinctive reflex.
Application: Integrity is not a one-time event; it is a constant habit of choosing the truth, even when no one is watching.
II. The Habit of Rectitude and Justice
Job 1:1 — "...this man was blameless and upright..."
Job was a man of "rectitude"—he walked a straight line before God and acted with justice toward men.
A. Rectitude Toward God
This involves doing what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, following His specific instructions without wavering (Deuteronomy 6:18).
B. Justice Toward Men
• Equity in Leadership: Treating others with fairness and equality (Colossians 4:1).
• Public Testimony: Taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man (2 Corinthians 8:21).
C. The Importance of This Habit
A Christian must reflect justice in business dealings, family dynamics, and church ministry. Constant rectitude builds spiritual credibility. People may ignore your words, but they cannot ignore a life of consistent justice.
Application: Justice is not an optional accessory to our faith; it is an essential part of the Christian character.
III. The Habit of Reverence Toward God
Job 1:1 — "...he feared God..."
Job’s "fear" was not a paralyzing terror; it was a profound, holy reverence.
A. The Essence of Holy Fear
• Sincere Service: Serving Him in integrity and truth (Joshua 24:14).
• Spiritual Growth: The early church grew as they lived in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31).
• Serious Salvation: Working out our salvation with "fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12), recognizing the weight of our calling.
B. The Benefits of Revering the Lord
• Spiritual Security: A strong confidence and a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:26-27).
• True Happiness: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord (Psalm 112:1).
• Divine Favor: The Lord delights in those who fear Him (Psalm 147:11).
Application: The fear of the Lord is the anchor of the soul; it produces spiritual stability in an unstable world.
IV. The Habit of Shunning Evil
Job 1:1 — "...and shunned evil."
Job did not just love God; he actively avoided the darkness.
A. The Wisdom of Avoidance
• A Mark of Wisdom: The wise man is cautious and turns away from evil (Proverbs 14:16).
• Spiritual Intelligence: To shun evil is understanding (Job 28:28).
• A Natural Result: The fear of the Lord naturally causes one to turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
B. The Spiritual Principle of Prudence
The prudent see danger and take refuge, while the simple keep going and pay the penalty (Proverbs 22:3). We must not "play" with sin or expose ourselves unnecessarily to temptation.
C. The Biblical Balance
It is a two-fold command: "Turn from evil and do good" (Psalm 34:14). We empty our lives of the bad so that we can fill them with the good.
Application: The habit of shunning evil strengthens the "immune system" of our Christian character.
- How To Deal with Differences Among Brethren in the Church
- Personal Development and the Exploration of Christian Qualities
- What was Apollos in the Bible and what do we learn from his example?
Conclusion
Job was not a hero of faith because of one great day; he was a hero because of his daily habits. He lived with:
1. Integrity that made him blameless.
2. Uprightness that made him just.
3. Reverence that kept him connected to God.
4. Prudence that kept him away from evil.
Developing these positive habits will not make our lives perfect, but it will make our lives approved by God.
