Some Aspects Of “Habit”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
The following are some aspects of the word “habit” by an unknown author, that I found on a poster inside the elementary school library where I was substituting today:
“I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed — you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men; and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a man. You may run me for a profit or run me for ruin — it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who am I? I am HABIT!”
In Hebrews 5:14, it’s interesting to note that the word “use” in this verse is derived from the Greek word “hexis” (Strong’s 1838), which in the margin of my Bible is translated, “of an habit, or, perfection.”
The English Standard Version renders the above verse as:
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.“
Brethren and friends, we must make Bible study a daily “habit” (Psalms 1:1-2; Acts 17:11), or “constant practice,” in order for God’s word to permeate every part of our being; thus bringing our lives in closer harmony to God and His will (Matthew 7:21; cf. Gal. 2:16-20).
Let’s think about it!