As believers strive to live a life pleasing to God, they are encouraged to cultivate good habits and avoid those that can lead to spiritual harm. The apostle Paul warns against conforming to the world's patterns in Romans 12:2, instead urging believers to be transformed by renewing their minds. In 1 Corinthians, Paul cautions against allowing any habit to control us, reminding us that everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:13). The wisdom literature of Proverbs, such as chapter 4, verses 20-27, offers practical guidance on developing habits that promote spiritual growth and well-being, while Hebrews 10:25 encourages consistent gathering with other believers to foster positive habits and mutual encouragement.
15 Bible Verses on Habits
15 verses
Relevance Score
44%
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good— you who are accustomed to doing evil.
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.