"The Dangers of the Undealt Negative Habits"(Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8)

The Dangers of the Undealt Negative Habits 

Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8 

One analogy for a Christian life is that of an athlete. The better athletes keep strick diets to meet their goals. Runners eat differently than a weight lifter. Athletes also need to be persistent to be perfect. If you want to have the perfect athlete body, it will take time and much effort as well as sacrafice. 

If we want to emulate Jesus, we need to work at this. There are imperfections in our lives that we need to remove and this will take time. Everyday we need to align ourselves with God's plan. Mature Christians realize their weaknesses. Sick Christians are not aware of their weaknesses. Every believer has weaknesses and we are being sanctified. The Lord shows us our imperfections as we go closer to Jesus. As we grow closer in our relationship and deal more with our imperfections, we start to emulate Jesus. 

In the text from Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8 Judas is not dealing with one of his imperfections. We see how Judas had a bad habit of taking money for himself. We also see Judas Iscariot's jealous heart.  

We might ask why did Jesus allow Judas stay with his disciples and not kick him. Jesus had hoped that Judas would turn away from his sins. Jesus gave him a chance. Ezekiel 18:23 shows God's heart which is the desire to save. 

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God , and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? 

Ezekiel 18:23 ESV 

Jesus expects us to respond back to his call everyday and repent. This is sanctification. 

Undealt negative habits that seem to be minor are actually points of attraction for more degeneration. (John 12:3). We see Judas is upset over lost money which we could have taken for himself. He developed jealousy over Jesus being shown respect by the woman's anointing Jesus. This perfume was for Jesus, but Judas' untamed coveting and thieving leads him to jealousy. 

These undealt habits which seem to be minor grow to destroy the spiritual sensors for one's salvation (John 13: 21-30).  The Spirit of the Lord works in us to direct us to turn to him persistently. (Gal. 5:16) By ignoring the spirit we start to become insensitive to the urgings of the spirit. 

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 
James 1:14‭-‬15 ESV 

In fact, undealt habits which seem minor turn out to be the window of Satan's attack in the lives of believers. (John 13:27). Satan will not attack us at our strong points. He will go for your weak points. Judas' love of money was his weaknesses and that is how Satan was able to enter his heart. 

Eventually these undealt habits which seem to be minor destroy an individual when it becomes too late. (Matt. 27:1-10) Judas had seen Jesus raise the dead and feed thousands and avoid the Pharisees, so he was surprised and felt remorse that Jesus had been arrested. Judas cannot reverse what he did and hangs himself.  
Jesus is always speaking to us to change; however, Jesus is not going to force you to change. You need to do this yourself. There is a remedy for the developed destructive habits. 

1. 1, Acknowledge the reality; and acknowledge that you have a problem (Prov. 28:13) 
2. 2. Seize the provided platforms for your salvation and restoration. Again you need to choose to act and take advantage of God's deliverance.