Turn Bad Habits Over to God 

Dec 21 2006

Billy Graham’s stupid and counter productive answer:The worst kind of bad habit is the one we can’t get rid of, no matter how hard we try.  The worst kind of bad habit is also the one we don’t even try to break, but instead we allow it to continue without any real opposition. But most of all, the worst kind of bad habit is the one we refuse to turn over to God.  We may try to fight it on our own, or we may simply give up trying, but we never acknowledge our own helplessness and turn to god for the strength we need.  This is why the first step is to turn your bad habits over to God and ask Him to help you overcome them. Take practical steps also; if you know you will be more likely to yield to temptation in certain situations or around certain people, then avoid them. The bible says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) The closer we are to Him, the less Satan can touch us.

Jen’s response:OK – repeat after me.

I have no idea what bad habits this individual is referring to.  But it isn’t hard to be good, you just choose to do things that are good, and do not choose to do things that aren’t.

Now, if you have a bad habit, like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol in excess etc, something where there is an actual physical addiction, then you might need medical help to deal with the physical cravings.  However, if there is no physical problem, then you can choose to stop doing the thing you want to stop doing.  No biggie.  No fuss, just stop. 

Yes, this means you actually have to take responsibility for your actions.  I understand how scary that can be.  But the only way to take control of your behavior is to accept that you and you alone are responsible for how you act.   

When Graham says that you should acknowledge your helplessness to change your behavior, I just have to shake my head.  This belief in helplessness is one of the most destructive ideas in all of Christianity.  If we want to create a saner, enlightened and compassionate society, we must each take responsibility for our actions and work to make sure we act in accordance with our values.   

Saying you helpless and can’t change is a cop out.  You are basically saying you don’t want to be responsible for your actions and the impact your actions have.  You can believe anything you want to, but your actions have consequences and the sooner you accept that reality, the sooner you will take responsibility for your actions.  And the sooner you take responsibility for your actions, the sooner you can end your bad habits.