Backfill - Changing Habits
I mentioned last week I gave up New Year’s resolutions except for one…seek God’s praises. While continuing that theme in my studies this week, a lesson I taught several years ago came to my mind. The lesson pertained to changing habits and was titled, Backfill. As I delved bit deeper into that study this week, I learned a few more things which I’d like to share with you today.
Paul, who said in Romans, “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” struggled with changing his habits time and time again.
Paul addressed it again in Colossians 2:20-23:
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Changing habits in our strength is often a futile effort which got me thinking about how to change something permanently.
In studying Scripture and in the human psyche, I’ve learned that when changing a habit it’s not enough to just stop doing something, you have to replace the habit with a new habit.
Paul continues by suggesting that we go beyond just stopping the habit. We should go a step further and backfill our minds with something better (Colossians 3:1,2)…
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Paul expounds on that directive in Philippians 4:8,9:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Many studies have proven that which we focus on is what we will be drawn toward. My favorite study was performed by Daniel Kahneman as referenced in his book, Thinking Fast and Slow. Daniel references a study whereby two groups are in different rooms. Group One watches video clips of things that represent slow moving objects. Group Two, watches fast moving objects. They then move both groups to other rooms and time how long it takes them to make the transition. You guessed it, Group One meandered to the next room while Group Two quickly made the transition. So simple, yet so impactful.
Proverbs 13:20:
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Romans 12:2:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 1:9-11:
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Whether you want to replace a bad habit or strengthen a good habit, remove that which is hindering your progress and backfill those habits with habits which will empower you to strive toward your goals.
