The Bible has a lot to say about habits, both good and bad. Our habits reflect our character, values, and relationship with God. Developing godly habits helps us grow in faith and resist temptation, while bad habits can lead us into sin and spiritual decline. Here are some key Bible verses about habits:
Verses about developing good habits
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9) Keeping God’s word helps us develop good habits and remain morally pure.
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Memorizing and internalizing Scripture helps us resist temptation and sinful habits.
“But he answered, “It is written,“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” (Matthew 4:4) Feeding ourselves spiritually on God’s word is a habit that gives us life.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) Persisting in good habits, even when difficult, will ultimately be rewarded.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8) Spiritual training through godly habits has eternal benefits.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) God equips us through spiritual knowledge to develop godly habits.
Verses about avoiding bad habits
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) We must intentionally put off bad habits rooted in sinful nature.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) Avoiding drunkenness and similar bad habits, and instead pursuing spiritual fullness.
“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Having self-control over habits that could become spiritually destructive.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) Putting to death sinful habits by the Spirit’s power enables us to live godly lives.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38) Diligence in prayer and watchfulness is needed to avoid stumbling into sinful habits.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” (1 Peter 1:13-14) We must be mentally disciplined and not fall back into old sinful habits.
Verses about replacing bad habits with good ones
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Replacing worldly habits with godly ones comes through spiritual renewal and transformation.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) We must intentionally put off old sinful habits and put on righteous habits.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) God has planned good habits for us to walk in, replacing our old unrighteous lifestyle.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Coming to Christ enables us to replace old sinful habits with new godly habits.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5) Fixing our thoughts on the Spirit helps us gain victory over fleshly habits.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) We must ask God to purify our hearts and renew our spirits to empower habit change.
Other key verses about habits
“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” (Quote attributed to Stephen Covey inspired by Galatians 6:7-8) Our habits shape our character and destiny.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) God instructs and counsels us into good habits aligned with His ways.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20-22) Letting God’s word guide our habits brings spiritual life and wellbeing.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) God Himself works within us to shape our desires and habits for His glory.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11) Developing habits of spiritual discipline, though difficult, yields righteousness and peace.
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” (Proverbs 21:20) Wisdom involves disciplined habits while folly indulges appetite.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) Christian community helps encourage wise habits and prevent hardening in sin.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Like an athlete in training, we must discipline our bodies through habit to effectively serve God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) The Holy Spirit develops these virtuous habits in our lives as we yield to Him.
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7 NASB) Our habits of thought eventually influence who we become.
“I have followed your statutes as one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.” (Psalm 119:163-163) We grow to love godly habits and hate unrighteousness.
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28) Self-control is a habit that leads to godly character and spiritual strength.
“Now finish doing it as well, so that your eagerness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” (2 Corinthians 8:11) We must develop the habit of following through and completing what we start.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:23-24) Our habits should stir up others to live faithfully and develop godliness.
In summary, the Bible gives us wisdom and guidance for developing habits that honor God and grow us spiritually. Key habits highlighted include reading Scripture, praying, fellowship, moral purity, service and giving. We are instructed to avoid destructive habits rooted in the sinful nature. Renewing our minds through Christ and the Spirit empowers us to put off unrighteous habits and put on new godly habits. Our habits profoundly impact our character and relationships. So it is crucial we allow the Word of God to shape our habits for godliness.