Have you ever struggled with a personal bad habit that you don't like but you just can't seem to get rid of? I know that some use or abuse of certain substances can cause a physical addiction and dependence. But the body is still able to be put into subjection to the spirit of a person if they know how.
The First Step - You have to wake up to the fact that this bad habit isn't a bad habit at all or a mistake or a weakness. God says in I Corinthians 15:34 that it is sin and if you think differently you are ignorant of God. Now that's really good news because sin is exactly what Jesus conquered by His death and resurrection so there is great hope of removal of sin. Weaknesses and mistakes you have to conquer by yourself and you already have found out that you can't.
The Second Step - You need to know that God has already provided for your freedom from this. God says get in the Word because all scripture is profitable for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16. So find scriptures you can claim about your issue. Isaiah 48:17,18 says pay attention to God's commandments and your righteousness will be like the ocean and that's better than a sprinkle or drop of righteousness.
The Third Step - You need to make a commitment that come hell or high water you are going to pursue and practice righteousness, I John 2:29 and 2 Timothy 2:22.
The Fourth Step - Claim out loud even as you are doing the bad habit "I am the righteousness of God", "I present my body to God for righteousness, I set my faith on this!" Romans 6:13, Philippians 3:9, Romans 6:8. I know of people with severe addictions who became totally free by practicing this habit.
The Fifth Step - Look to, focus on, the reward. Isaiah 32:17 says that will bring peace and quietness to you. Wouldn't you like a little less internal chaos and hatred? Hebrews 1:9 says that loving righteousness results in having the Oil of Gladness poured on you. Wouldn't you like to be soaked in gladness?
Overcoming a wrong habit is not about your strength to overcome but your consistent practice of another habit of claiming the righteousness of God every time you are tempted to fall prey to your bad habit. It is in our surrender to Jesus' power for righteousness that we gain righteousness and power against habits of sin.
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