Walking in the Spirit and breaking habits

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There is a direct connection between walking in the Spirit and breaking a sinful habit. Today, many people suffer from drug addiction. Perhaps they began getting high just for kicks, or because they wanted to look cool, but now they are hooked. Drugs as we know them today were not available in New Testament times, but many people were addicted to wine, which led Paul to write to the believers in Ephesus, “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him” (Eph. 5:18 MSG). To those who are struggling with addiction of any kind, the Bible offers a different master: Be controlled by the Spirit, rather than drugs or alcohol or any other stubborn habit. The Spirit’s control will replace sin’s control. His power is greater than the power of all your sin put together.

 Perhaps you’re wondering at this point, “OK, how do I get hold of this power?” You begin by clearing the deck. Confess your sin—and the sin must be confessed—and receive God’s forgiveness. Claim 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

 Then remember that the Holy Spirit desires to energize you. Don’t ever think that He is reluctant, waiting to be coaxed into the driver’s seat of your life. He became a resident with the express purpose of becoming president. But He will not exercise His power apart from your faith. If you ask Him to control you, believe that He will.
Maybe you feel unworthy, or perhaps you think that there will be a more convenient time. F. B. Meyer tells of his experience: “I left the prayer meeting and crept away into the lane praying, ‘O Lord, if there was ever a man who needs the power of the Holy Spirit, it is I. But I do not know how to receive Him. I am too tired, too worn, too nervously run down to agonize.’ Then a voice said to me, ‘As you took forgiveness from the hand of the dying Christ, take the Holy Spirit from the hand of the living Christ.’” Meyer goes on to say, “I took for the first time and have kept on taking ever since.”

How were you saved? By depending on the death of Jesus Christ. How do you receive the power of the Spirit? By depending on the ascension of Jesus Christ. Both come by faith. That’s why Paul wrote, “My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught” (Col. 2:6 MSG).

 You receive the Spirit’s filling by faith, not by having a particular feeling. Some Christians wrongly believe that the filling of the Spirit is a sensation. They expect waves of love, an overwhelming sense of peace, or the ability to speak in strange languages. Theirs is a fleshly desire to walk by sight, not by faith. We find it difficult to take God at His Word, and like the Pharisees, we ask for a sign that we might believe.

 God, however, delights when we believe in Him without demanding emotional crutches. Just as a new believer needs to receive God’s promises—apart from feelings—so we daily need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit—apart from feelings.
Lutzer, E. (2010). Getting to no: how to break a stubborn habit. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.

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