Have you ever thought of picking a bad habit back up or returning to something that you’ve been delivered from?
Let me tell ya…..there is no way that you could ever get me to pick up a cigarette again! I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes now. Five years ago, I wanted to quit so bad after smoking for years - but just couldn’t kick it.
I prayed to the Lord that He would just take it away from me. Well, one Saturday I went out and bought three packs of cigarettes and smoked over a pack that night. The next day I went to grab a cigarette with my coffee like normal and I thought I was going to puke. January 15, 2017, was the last day I ever smoked or held a cigarette. Thank you Jesus!!!!
I prayed that God would help me, that he would deliver me from that nasty habit, and he did. For what the Son sets free, is free indeed (John 8:36). Ever since I got saved I have tried to realize and honor that my body is God’s temple. What I was doing was unhealthy and it was unholy. I know God was more than happy to answer that prayer.
I was reading in Deuteronomy today. The Israelites are about to enter the promised land and Moses is continuing to review God’s laws, commands, and statutes. He was talking in Chapter 17 about them appointing a king. If and when they do, God tells them, through Moses, that the king must never return the people to Egypt. He instructs them, “You must never return that way again.” Think about that. God delivered His chosen people, the Israelites, out of bondage from the Egyptians.
He loved them so much He never left them while they made their way through forty years in the wilderness. God loves you very much as well!!! I know that He would never want me to return to being a smoker again. I know He would never want me to return to being part of the world again either. He has done so much for me!!! I trust that He has me where He does for a reason, that He has my best interest at heart, and that He has delivered me from much more than just smoking. I honor that!
The enemy will do whatever he can to get you to slip back into old habits, to walk in his world, and to go against the will of God. You have to be strong in the Lord, read His Word, seek counsel among other believers, put on your armor, and pray. I know that if you are doing all those things, you are living for Jesus, and you know God’s ways are higher than your ways (Isaiah 55:8).
I pray that you stay strong and on the right path. I pray that if you’ve given up bad habits that you keep making healthy choices and decisions. I pray that if you are struggling to be freed from something that has you in bondage that you seek wise counsel. Finally, I pray that once freed, you never return that way again (Deuteronomy 17:16). God Bless you!
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1 NIV).