The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges Chapter 14 Habits of Holiness

Habits of Holiness What did he say? Repeated acts of the consent of the will unto sin may beget a disposition and inclineableness of the will unto a proneness and readiness to consent unto sin upon easy solicitation. – John Owen What did he say?

Habits of Holiness The more we sin, the more we are inclined to sin. Modern English Equivalent The more we sin, the more we are inclined to sin.

Habits of Holiness Romans 6:19 (New International Version 1984, ©1984) I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever- increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

Habits of Holiness Habits = Patterns

Habits of Holiness We developed habits of unholiness. Now we must develop habits of holiness.

Habits of Holiness Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

Principles of Forming Habits 1 Habits are developed and reinforced by frequent repetition. (Pavlov’s dogs) Every yes to sin inclines us to sin. Every yes to God inclines us to God.

Principles of Forming Habits 2 No exceptions! Exceptions reinforce old habits and fail to reinforce new habits. “Just this once” is a lie.

Principles of Forming Habits 3 Discipline in all areas is required to ensure success in one area. A “small” bad habit weakens our will, so it weakens us in every area.

Principles of Forming Habits 4 Don’t be discouraged by failure. Failing does not make someone a failure. We become a failure when we give up.

It’s a quiz! List the four principles of forming habits.

What can we learn from failure? What I learned from my failure Four steps to help you move forward after you fail & Reading Guide Responding to Failure Bible Study Books for people who fail