The Tribune

By Dr Mattie Nottage

A HABIT is a routine or behaviour that is repeated regularly. If continued over a period of time it becomes a subconscious, involuntary action. Habits can be good, as well as bad. Good habits better your life and those around you, whereas bad habits eventually destroy you and will adversely affect those around you. If you find yourself stuck and unable to progress in life, there may be bad habits holding you back.

Bad habits create deviant beliefs in the minds of some people. As they continue doing what they have come to believe or what has become a practice, they form self-defeating habits which are resistant to positive change. This deviant mindset becomes a habitual lifestyle that is usually born out of rebellion, peer pressure, deceit, deception, deep-seated hurt, painful events, traumatic or abusive experiences and other maladies.

Bad habits formed by way of these corridors create behaviours which eventually open the door to other demonic intrusions such as: stealing, lying, addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, food and overeating, other sexual vices, including promiscuity, prostitution, pornography; along with eating disorders such as eating dirt, paper, ice, powder and other disorders of all kinds.

How are bad habits formed

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Further, bad habits can be formed by learned behaviours, generational curses or familial spirits within the family and are passed down from generation to generation. They can easily be mistaken as someone’s personality or family traits.

Bad habits may even be formed by demonic attacks from familiar spirits or from curses sent by wicked people and can lure you into a repeated lifestyle of negative practices which inherently become a part of your everyday life.

You inadvertently accept these negative habits as normal and may even feel as though engaging in such behaviours is OK.

Soon after, these negative behaviours begin to control you rather than you being able to control them. You then become inclined to continually doing them, and may even feel as though you are unable to stop.

Whenever you reach the point of being controlled by that bad habit then a behavioural pattern is formed and is now an addiction. It may be true that everyone who tried drugs did not become a drug addict, however, everyone that developed the habit of abusing and using drugs eventually became addicted.

Bad habits have destroyed good families and wonderful marriages. They have paralysed great athletes. They have also weakened talented musicians and other gifted artists.

Bad habits have brought down huge empires and have made rich men very poor.

A bad habit has no respect for your purpose, age or gender. Failing to recognise and acknowledge their destructive nature will adversely challenge all of your potential, causing your demise. Bad Habits are motivated and controlled by demonic spirits assigned to sabotage your destiny and eventually destroy your dreams. Jesus said in John 10:10 that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

Jesus desires that you live a life full of peace, joy and contentment and not a life manipulated or controlled by bad habits or addictions.

As you prepare for your new season in God you should make every effort to overcome every bad habit which may seek to threaten your progress in life. You must recognise that God has great things in store for you. Be willing to sever ties with old self-defeating habits by making a list of them.

Also make a list of new, good habits and start practicing them. Then seek out someone to whom you can be accountable. Remove yourself from anything that will pose as a strong temptation. For example, you may have to block certain television channels or change your telephone number or address; then diligently pray and seek God to help you develop positive habits or behaviours.

If you, a loved one or someone you know is struggling with a bad habit or an addiction, please get help and be delivered from it right now! Jesus loves you and them more than anything in this whole world.

• Prayer works! I want to help you because God has used me to deliver so many people from the bondage of vexing bad habits and addictions. Send “Text right Now for Help and Deliverance” to Prophetess Mattie Nottage, co-pastor of Believers Faith Outreach Ministries International Carmichael Road, call 242-421-5501, or e-mail drmattie@mattienottage.org.