We have all experienced being in bondage at one time or another. Maybe some of us are still in captivity today. We might walk around as if we are free, but in our "all alone" times we know the truth.

Recently, out of no where, the word "HABIT" appeared on the screen saver of my mind. Webster's dictionary defines habit as: "characteristic actions, such as a way of thinking that has been often repeated"

Searching the scriptures, I discovered the word "habit" is not found. Instead, the word "custom" is the chosen noun. However, in a few places as I discovered using the *Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew or Greek word for "custom" is our more familiar word habit. In Leviticus 18:30 the Lord warned Israel as they prepared to come into the promised land; "Do not follow any of the detestable customs (habits) that were practiced before you came and Do Not defile yourself with them. I am the Lord your God!" WOW!

A time to reflect and evaluate ourselves.

Are we, as children of God, following any "detestable habits" of the world? I am not talking about the obvious unholy or unhealthy habits of drunkenness, cursing, stealing, lying, fornication, addiction, etc. I am referring to the habits of thinking negative, judgmental, critical, unholy, ungodly, self-righteous prideful, fearful, self-condemning, or similar thoughts over and over again. Then, as we act upon them in one way or another, these actions defile us and others and we, like the Israelites, become self-entrapped.

One might have a long list of physically good habits: brushing your teeth, taking a daily shower, eating healthy, working out, etc. But let's look at spiritual and emotional habits? What goes on in your head? Where do your thoughts gravitate? What kind of things do you meditate upon? Fears, anxieties, worries about what you shall eat, how you shall be clothed, when the bills shall get paid?

Jesus said "Take No Thought" and don't put words to those negative thoughts. In His earthly life, Jesus learned and practiced good habits through His intimate relationship with His Father and through obedience to his parents.

"Jesus went to Nazareth where he had been brought up and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, "AS WAS HIS CUSTOM" (habit). Luke 4:16

Let's begin today to take a realistic look at the "customs" (habits) in our own life. How many of them have been adopted from the kingdom of darkness and how many have been embraced from the kingdom of light? Write them down. Put them in a balance and bravely compare the weights.

Jesus came to deliver us from the bondage sinful, worldly habits which corrupt the flesh and soul. We have a choice. Wrong habits, left unchecked and unrepented of, will tripped us up as we are trying to run the race and to walk in God pleasing faith.

HERE'S A PRAYER you might want to pray: "Abba, Father God, HELP! I confess I have let the customs/habits of the world effect my thinking, acting, and even my responding to you at times. Please Forgive me. I do not want to be "defiled by detestable customs". Help me Holy Spirit to embrace Godly habits that will produce great fruit in my life - enough for others to enjoy also. May my habits of thinking, speaking, and doing give evidence to the life of Jesus in me. In Jesus' really powerful freeing name I pray! Amen!"

It is my prayer that this reflection spoke to your heart today. I would love to hear from you! Marie *The Strong's Concordance has been one of my favorite resource books over the years. I am delighted to find it available now on the web. Please click on the link above to enjoy personal in depth studies of the Word.