Put on ... Put off

Many have noted that it takes about six weeks to actually break a habit and another six weeks to establish a good one. But this is not true of addiction! The process can and will often take longer.

Besides the time factor involved for yourself; it often takes more time to gain full trust with those around you that you have broken truth with in the past. It takes significant time and commitment to break your unhealthy thinking. Breaking a sinful habit takes prayerful thought and intentionality. Breaking a destructive habit requires honestly deciding why you find it so compelling; even when you realize it is so destructive to you and your relationships with others and with Christ. You should ask, "What am I getting from this behavior and what am I willing to lose because of it?" Also ask, "Why am I willing to trade healthy behavior for this negative one?"

You must be honest and ask are you willing to believe the truth about who you are in Christ and the power that resides within you in the person of the Holy Spirit! Paul as he writes to the Ephesians reminds them of the "put-off … put-one" principle. "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV).