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For the much of my life, if I were to be asked to consider habits, it would have taken me a long time (if ever) to get to thinking about my heart.  Habits were merely external patterns of behavior or trained reflex muscle movements.  Habits that were typically considered ‘bad’ included nail-biting, nose-picking, video-gaming, or smoking.  Habits that were considered ‘good’ categorically included healthy eating, sports/exercise, or household chores.  None of these ‘good’ or ‘bad’ habits included examination of the heart in my own assessment, nor in communication from others.  Change in habit simply had to do with disciplined repetition of externals.

Since becoming a believer and then as I have matured in my faith, I have grown into a better understanding of the heart.  Pastor made reference to “the habit of our hearts” in this week’s sermon and stated that the default habit of our hearts is to be unfaithful wanderers.  OUCH!!  That’s a really bad habit!  We all know that bad habits are hard to kick and good habits are hard to develop.  What are we to do!?

After further examination of Hosea 12 and God’s ongoing contention with Israel, Pastor pressed these questions: “Do you want the Word of God in your life?” and “Will you admit that you need the Word of God in your life?”  It is the Word of God alone that provides us with the BEST answers for all of life.  It is the Word of God that rightly examines and exposes our hearts.  It is the Word of God that evaluates our habits into the categories of ‘good’ or ‘bad’.  It is the Word of God that teaches/instructs us in the way of God for faithfulness.  And it is Spirit-empowered obedience to the Word of God that brings glory to God in our character and action.

Will you eagerly desire the Word of God this week?  Will you humbly admit your need of the Word of God?  Will you take time this week to let the Word of God examine the ‘habits of your heart’?  And if there be any bad habits there, will you stop, repent, and change your path to faithful obedience to the Word of God?  God is not after mere external conformity, but for actual internal heart transformation that is evidenced externally.