Habits

Set patterns of behaviour. These patterns can be helpful when they lead to spiritual discipline and a regular pattern of prayer and worship; others can be detrimental to faith.

Examples of good habits

Reading and obeying God's word

Psalm 119:56; Hebrews 5:14 See also Psalm 119:44, Psalm 119:97

This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Private prayer

Luke 5:16 See also Psalm 5:3; Matthew 6:5–6, Matthew 14:23 parallel Mark 6:46; Mark 1:35 parallel Luke 4:42; Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Luke 11:1

Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Attendance at public worship

Luke 4:16; Acts 2:46, Acts 14:1, Acts 17:2

Examples of bad habits

Jeremiah 22:21 See also Exodus 21:29, Exodus 21:36; Judges 2:19; Ezekiel 33:31

I warned you when you were secure. You said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from youth, that you have not obeyed My voice.

Warnings to avoid certain habits

Hebrews 10:25 See also 1 Timothy 5:13

Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The difficulty of breaking bad habits

Jeremiah 13:23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good — you who are accustomed to doing evil.