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QUESTION 151
How is it that I cannot get victory over certain bad habits? After trying hard I am still bound by them.

ANSWER:
If this inquiry is from an unsaved person, sheer will power is all they have to break the bad habits.  Sometimes this works, but often they are replaced by worst ones.

If the inquirer is a Christian, the key lies in the word "trying." Man has a difficult time resigning all of their efforts to "trust totally," upon the cross work of Christ. Before one is saved they usually have a go at trying to clean up their lives to make themselves acceptable to God. This doesn't work, so they give up trying and trust in the finished work of Christ to save them and it works. Often, after they are saved, they go right back to "trying," instead of "trusting" to live the Christian life, once again they fail. Salvation is; "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8. This works when we are "trusting," instead of "trying." The two are incompatible. When you try you are not trusting. Trust will only begin when you stop trying. "For we are His workmanship (masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus unto good works..." Ephesians 2:10. "He that hath began a good work in you..." Philippians 1:6. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13. Faith is the channel that brings His power to us. When we try, we block the channel; when we trust, we open it. When you try you are depending on your own efforts, when you trust you are depending on God. Repent of your sins and trust in the blood of Christ to save and deliver you from all sin. (Galatians 1:4).

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen