Date: August 14, 2023
Host: Jim Schneider
Guest: Dr. Erwin Lutzer
MP3 | Order
Is there a sinful habit that is dominating your life to the point where you’re tired of being ensnared over and over again? You’ve prayed about it, you’ve surrendered your sin to God, you’ve been more zealous about reading the Bible, praying, attending church and you still can’t shake it.
This broadcast will give you hope regarding how you can break free for good.
Returning to Crosstalk to address this issue was Dr. Erwin Lutzer. Dr. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church where he served as the senior pastor for 36 years. He’s the speaker on three radio programs that are heard on more than 750 outlets. He is an award-winning author with multiples titles including: The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, Life Changing Bible Verses You Should Know, We Will Not Be Silenced, No Reason to Hide and the one discussed on this Crosstalk, How to Break a Stubborn Habit.
Dr. Lutzer began describing the cycle of stubborn habits by looking specifically how these work under the addiction of alcohol. First, the person is ashamed, they are brought low, and they say, “never again.” They keep their word for a while and begin to have confidence that they can control it after all. After that they go back and then the cycle is even more difficult to break.
He reminded listeners that while we may actually think we have sin “licked,” we never do and are always struggling with temptation. The issues involved may not entirely be our fault, but at the same time God holds us accountable.
Dr. Lutzer indicated there is a lot of preaching today that leaves the impression that we like to sin, God loves to forgive and therefore we’ve got a great thing going. However, we must recognize it’s not even about us breaking our habits. Instead, it’s the fact that we’re offending God and grieving the Holy Spirit by which we have been sealed us unto the day of redemption. So in the end, do we want to please God or ourselves?
Isn’t such sin a private matter that’s only affecting that individual person? He responded by noting how sin comes in clusters and individual sins are often connected. So when someone says they have a sinful habit and it only affects them, no matter how tightly wrapped they may think that sin is, like a stinky, rotten sandwich, that sin has a much broader effect.
As the program continued, numerous questions were answered as Dr. Lutzer brought much biblical wisdom to bear on this issue. For example:
- Why is temptation so attractive and unrelenting and what is God trying to do through it?
- Where do we begin when attempting to break a bad habit?
- Is it possible to put your past behind you through owning your own behavior?
- What does he mean by seeing things through God’s eyes?
- What’s the role of the Holy Spirit in all of this?
- How do we go about renewing our minds?
- What role do our feelings play in this discussion?
More Information
Special Offer: How to Break a Stubborn Habit retails for $13.99. However, during this month of August, 2023, our VCY Bookstore is celebrating its 27th anniversary and are offering this book at 51% off, for just $6.86 plus any applicable tax and/ or shipping. To obtain a copy or multiple copies, contact the VCY Bookstore online at vcy.com or by calling 1-888-722-4829. This offer expires 8/31/23.
