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A Faith That Counters My Bad Habits

Rick Warren | April 5, 2020

When you’re under stress, one of the things that can happen is you start looking for coping strategies to ease your anxiety. Unfortunately, many of those methods of coping end up making things worse. In this message, Pastor Rick Warren continues our study of the book of James by offering nine “counter moves” for overcoming the bad habits that tempt you.

Message Action Plan

Three Essential Questions

After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.

  • What did you hear?What point in this message was most impactful for you?
  • What do you think?How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
  • What will you do?How will you put into practice what you've learned today?

ACTION PLAN:If you are not in a small group,visitsaddleback.com/onlinegroupsto get connected!

"Never blame God when you are tempted because God can't be tempted by evil, and he never tempts anyone to do the wrong thing. We are tempted by our own desires inside us. That's what drags us in the wrong direction and traps us. Our wrong desires lead us to wrong actions, and those sinful actions eventually ends in death. So, friends, don't be deceived by every desire you feel."   James 1:13-16

WE ARE NOT POWERLESS

"Everyone who is a child of God CAN overcome sin in this world. What wins the victory is our faith! No one can defeat the world's ways without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God." 1 John 5:4-5

9 COUNTER MOVES

1.  KNOW MY DEFAULT COPING STRATEGY

"We should remove from our lives anything that gets in the way (of our spiritual growth) especially those persistent sins that so easily distract us. . ." Hebrews 12:1

Food… Drinking… Sleep… Shopping… Binge TV… Gaming… Drugs…
Gambling… Porn… Over-controlling… Withdrawing… Angry Outbursts

2.  KNOW MY EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS (What Makes Me Vulnerable).

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Prov. 4:23

Physically Exhausted. . . Discouraged & Pessimistic. . . Bored or Discontented Spiritually Dry or Empty. . . Lonely or Disconnected. . . Insecure or Unsure. . .
 Wounded or hurt. . .  Resentful. . . Sad or Grieving a loss. . .

  • LEARN MY PATTERNS

"The wise man looks ahead. A fool tries to fool himself and won't face facts."Proverbs 14:8 (LB) 

  • WHEN am I most tempted?
  • WHERE am I most tempted?
  • WHO is with me when I'm most tempted?
  • WHAT temporary benefit do I get if I give in?
  • HOW do I feel right before I'm tempted?

ACTION PLAN:In your quiet time this week, take some time to think through points one through three. Write down or tell a friend how you cope, what triggers you and what patterns you see in yourself.

4.  PLAN TO AVOID THOSE SITUATIONS!      

"Plan carefully what you do. . . Avoid evil and walk straight ahead.
 Don't go one step off the right way." Proverbs 4:26-27 (TEV)

5.  ASK GOD FOR HELP

"Call to me when trouble comes and I will save you. . ."  Psalm 50:15 (TEV)

"(Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to. . . our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and grace to help us when we need it."  Hebrews 4:15-16
                                                                                                                   
ACTION PLAN:Pause right now and ask God to give you the strength and ability to move towards Him in times of temptation. This prayer doesn't have to be long and eloquent. We can cry out to God knowing that He is sympathetic to our pain and weaknesses!

6.  REFOCUS MY ATTENTION ON SOMETHING ELSE

"Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good." Romans 12:21 (GW)

"We capture every thought. . . and we make it obey Christ!"  2 Cor. 10:5 (NCV)
     
7.  JOIN A SMALL GROUP FOR SUPPORT

"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage each other all the more." Hebrews 10:25 (TEV) 

8.  ENLIST ONE FRIEND TO SHARE MY STRUGGLE

"Two are better than one, because together. . . if one falls down, the other can help him up.  But if someone is alone and falls. . . there's no one to help him."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (TEV)

"By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ."Galatians 6:2 (NCV)

9.  REMEMBER GOD IS ON MY SIDE!

"When temptations come into your life remember that they're no different from what others commonly experience. And God is faithful. He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Also when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will be able to withstand it."  1 Cor. 10:13

"God blesses people who continue strong when they are tempted. They will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."   James 1:12

ACTION PLAN:Take the following steps this week.

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More from this series

More from this series

A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t
March 15 - November 8, 2020