10 Bad Habits That Christians Should Kick

Whether we like it or not, all Christians have the potential to be hypocrites.

Thanks to original sin, we will never be perfect. Ironically, We proclaim the Gospel, preached by a man without sin. Then we strive to be everything that he was, while still finding that we sometimes fall short.

When falling short, we have (maybe even unknowingly) learned bad habits and practiced them. We have intended to profess the Truth, but have not always given our Savior the credit that He’s deserved through less-than-holy words and actions.

Sure, we know we won’t be perfect in this lifetime, but there are some habits that, if tackled, could make a big impact on our faith and the faith of others. What bad habits do you need help kicking?

1. Condemning Certain Sins, while Making Light of Others
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NIV)
Sin is sin. We are instructed to hate sin and to do all we can do avoid it. Sometimes, we may find through our own insecurities that we notice the downfalls of others. Remember that each of us have our downfalls and shortcomings. Each of us have a story to tell and a cross to bear.

Let’s encourage one another on our journey to Heaven, rather than push one another below the waves of worldliness.

2. Casually Using the Word "Intentional"
Remember that we want to be men and women of our word! If we truly wish to be intentional, we must have the intent to devote all our time and attention to our neighbors and to the Lord.

Create goals and stick to them. Find a friend or family member who can hold you accountable. But do not claim to be intentional while not taking the steps to truly do so.
Truly intentional living will take not just intentions, but following through with actions.

3. High-Pressure Dating
This tends to be a common misconception among Christian communities. Just because you go on dates to get to know someone of the opposite sex, does NOT mean you’ve won the Golden Ticket to marry them!

Going on dates simply allows two people to learn more about one another and enjoy the company of one another! Accept the time together at face value. Plus, marriage talk on the first date has been known to scare people.
Relax the pressure on Christian singles. Not every date will lead down the aisle.

4. Complaining about the Worship Service
“Praise him with the sounding of a trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre. Praise him with timbrel and dancing…” (Psalm 150:3-4)

It does not matter if we praise silently through fervent prayer, or through a rock band concert. Each of us have unique gifts to communicate with our Lord and with others for his Kingdom. Let’s thank the Lord we are able to worship in so many ways.

If the worship service does not impress you, what can you do to help? What a wonderful way to get involved in your church!

5. Segregating Sunday
When was the last time you went to a church service where the congregation looked different than you, sounded different than you, or worshiped in a different way that what you are used to?

We tend to go to churches with communities that aesthetically please us. However there is so much to learn from those who don’t share our same race, denomination, and socioeconomic status.

Have you tried exploring the various Christian communities outside your own? If not, this may be a great time to start! You’ll be surprised at what you can learn from Christians outside of your regular circle.

6. Excluding Non-Christians
How can we ever bring our brothers and sisters back to Christ if we are too busy pushing them away?

Remember the friends that Jesus kept: the sinners and tax collectors. His audience was the marginalized. Even in today’s society, where religion falls farther and farther to the wayside, we must at least provide our neighbors with the invitation to follow Christ.
How are you openly practicing your faith throughout your day? Do the people you encounter every day know that they are welcome to ask questions about your faith or join you in church?

7. Excluding the Searching Christians
Some of us are more along in our faith than others, but that does not mean that our brothers and sisters who are “spiritual babies” are a lost cause.

Remember to witness to those striving for a Christ-like life through your example. When you demonstrate a positive and consistent Christian lifestyle for your brothers and sisters in Christ, you can help them further their faith journey and develop a stronger personal relationship with Jesus.

You might even volunteer to act as a mentor to someone younger than you or new in the faith. This will leave a lasting impact on their faith walk, as well as your own.

8. Putting Jesus in a Political Party
“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.’” (Matthew 12:25 NIV)

We live in such polarized times with no shortage of conflict. Even the church battles with the direction our country should go! Instead of furthering the divide, our Christian communities should work to unify and strengthen those who are hurting on both sides of the political spectrum through an outpouring of love.
After all, as Peter writes, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

9. Ignoring the Poor
It is very easy to share a viral video of someone making a difference for those who have much less than ourselves. However, how often do we stop to hear the stories, to pray, and to help those in need within our own communities?

This is one area in which a little really can go a long way, and as we are promised, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25:40 NIV)

Volunteer your time to aid those less fortunate at the local soup kitchen or food pantry. Keep snacks, clean socks, and body wash in your car to give to anyone who might need it. They might seem like small things, but they make a big difference to the person who is without them.

10. Dressing Modestly for Fear of Lust
Modesty is an important pursuit for both men and women. However, a very common excuse for modesty among Christian women is to protect their brothers in Christ. The dangerous part in using this excuse is taking away accountability from men.

Men are called to live a life of chastity, and that includes not lusting after women. When the man looks at a woman and lusts after her, he has committed a sin.

By all means dress modestly, but don't make light of the sin to justify this practice.