I believe as Christians we are constantly at risk of becoming complacent. Just as many churches perform liturgies - there comes a point where what they do and say is habitual and a person no longer thinks about what they're saying but rather they are going through the motions. Even in life where we have routines, once again, we come to a place of just going through the motions.
In the pursuit of purity, sanctification, devotion to God - all of these things - we must strive to be intentional about our pursuits. A life of purity doesn't just happen. Sanctification means to be "set apart". In life it's natural to be more about fitting in or blending in. Nobody wants to stand out or be set apart. But this is what God has called us to.
12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (Titus 2:12-14 NLT)
"...for you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God's very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
So what's the difference between a HABIT and PRACTICE? Well, let's look at the definitions first.
HABIT: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. 2. customary practice or use. 3. a particular practice, custom, or usage. 4. a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality. 5. an addiction.
PRACTICE: habitual or customary performance; operation. 2. habit; custom. 3. repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency. 4. condition arrived at by experience or exercise. 5. the action or process of performing or doing something.
As shown above habit and practice can be somewhat interchangeable. However, I believe there are some distinguishing factors where both are concerned. For one, a habit becomes almost involuntary. I used to think this was a good thing, but lately God has convicted me in this. You see, it's a habit for our family to pray before our meals but growing up we always said the same prayer every time. Well, we would just recite it and I never took the time to even think about the words or remember that its GOD we were thanking for the food and not just something we were saying. When this becomes a dominant or regular disposition then we become stuck in going through the motions never realizing we have become sucked into this habit.
As you can see with practice there is the possibility of something becoming habitual, but there is a distinct difference here, when practicing there's systematic exercise in order to acquire a skill or to become proficient at something. The practice is the condition arrived at by experience or exercise. The thing about experiences is that they teach us deep truths and sanctify us. Exercise is something a person has to do intentionally. When a person exercises their body they are intentionally trying to develop their muscles and train them. It is a disciplined action. When you practice something, you are being intentional, you are focused. When you are doing something out of habit you are not focused, you are, once again, "going through the motions."
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV)
May you practice the presence of God in your life, may you be sanctified in Him and may you worship Him acceptably with reverence and awe!
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