Overcoming Bad Habits and Addictions — Part 8
A New Testament Nazarite
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: John the Baptist is greater than any other man who has ever lived.” (Matthew 11:11 ICB)
But years before Jesus said that about him, John had been prepared for his great purpose in part by abstaining from anything that would defile his body. He never allowed bad habits or addictions to develop that would prevent him from reaching his great purpose in life.
“John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer. Even at the time John is born, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.”—Luke 1:15 (ICB)
Set Yourself Apart for God’s Higher Purposes!
Do you want your life to be more than just ordinary? Do you want your life to count for something truly extraordinary? Do you want to be chosen for the higher purposes of God? Cleanse yourself of anything that defiles your body and wars against your soul by overcoming bad habits and addictions. This is truly an overlooked key to being chosen for God’s higher purposes, as Paul tells us:
“For this is the will of God*, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will … . For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].”—1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (AMP)*
When you determine in your heart to overcome bad habits and addictions and abstain from anything that would defile your body, you get God’s attention. Cleansing yourself from these things sets you apart and qualifies you for the higher purposes of God. In doing this, you become a candidate to enter the ranks of God’s special forces.
“Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”—2 Timothy 2:20-22 (AMP)
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.*** ****And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature *and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,*** ***and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
*“So, dear brothers and sisters, ****work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. ***Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—2 Peter 1:3-11 (NLT)
There may be nothing you can do to change what has happened to you in the past, but you can take steps to control your future.
Begin today. Your life can be turned around no matter how deep into darkness you have gone, You can turn your life around and be as close to God’s perfect plan as you choose to be. Look at the example of Mary Magdalene, whose life had descended deep into darkness. She was rescued out of that darkness by Jesus, who cast seven dark spirits out of her (not just one, but seven!). Mary Magdalene became one of the closest people to the Lord Jesus Himself, and after He rose from the dead, she was the first person to whom He appeared (Mark 16:9; John 20:1-18). With God’s help, she turned her life completely around, came out of deep darkness, and lived a glorious life filled with purpose and meaning. God honored her by including her story in the Bible, making her life an example for generations of others!
