02 Habitual Introduction- the Power of Good Habits

River Church Sermons

Introduction to Habitual

Pt. 2: The Power of Good Habits

By Louie Marsh, 1-12-2025

“14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)

1) A habit is a CUSTOMARY way of doing or not doing something.

“14Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” (Philippians 2:14, ESV)

Original Word: ἔθος

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Transliteration: ethos

Pronunciation: EH-thos

Definition: Custom, habit, manner

Meaning: a custom, habit; an institute, rite.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root ἔθω (ethō), meaning "to be accustomed" or "to be used to."

2) I need to FORM good, godly habits.

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:39-40 (NIV)

One popular idea suggests that it takes 21 days to solidify a habit. A three-week time frame might sound easily reachable to someone making a resolution on New Year’s Day, when people tend to feel extra motivated to start a new habit or kick an old one. Yet every January 21 very few people can boast that they have kept their resolutions. One survey showed that only 9 percent of people actually stuck to their goals in 2023.

The time it takes to establish a new habit varies widely depending on the individual and the complexity of the behavior. Recent studies suggest that it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, with an average of around 66 days. Factors such as the specific habit, environmental influences, and personal consistency play significant roles in the duration of habit formation. It is important to approach habit formation with realistic expectations and patience, as it may take longer than commonly believed.

Everyone has a unique habit-building timeline—and no matter how long it is for any individual, repetition is the key to making it work,

3) How habits help my SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

“14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)

Story of how I had to learn to use the clutch, once done I was a much more mature driver than I had been before.

4) Some good habits to me to ESTABLISH.

“14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV)

· REGULAR church attendance.

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

· Actively TESTING to distinguish good from evil.

“21but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV)

· To be SEXUALLY pure.

“18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18–20, ESV)

· Be FILLED with the Spirit not alcohol.

“18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)