How To Change Your Habits

In this powerful message, Ricky dives into one of the most essential, yet often overlooked, foundations of righteous character: HABITS.

As part of the ongoing sermon series, Cut Different, a series focused on pursuing righteous character, Ricky steps in to deliver a timely and practical word about why what you do repeatedly matters more than what you intend to do occasionally, gleaning from the fascinating and cautionary story of Samson, one of the most gifted and divinely appointed figures in the Bible.

Samson was set apart from birth, filled with the Spirit of God, and designated as a judge over Israel. Yet his life was marked by pride, poor decisions, and repeated moral failures. Despite being listed in Hebrews 11's "Hall of Faith," Samson's story stands as a sobering reminder that talent, giftedness, and even a divine calling are not enough to sustain a life of character. What Samson lacked, Ricky argues, were consistent, righteous habits.

From there, Ricky unpacks five practical habit hacks designed to help you build and maintain godly character in your everyday life.

First, he introduces the concept of "Keystone Habits" – those foundational routines that hold all your other habits together, much like the wedge-shaped stone that keeps an arch from collapsing.

Second, he challenges viewers to replace bad habits rather than simply erase them, pointing to Jesus' own teaching in Matthew 5 as the model for substituting behaviors of virtue in place of destructive patterns.

Third, Ricky shares the importance of "closing the loop" — making a specific plan for when and how you'll act on the changes you want to make, not just deciding that change needs to happen. Research shows that simply asking yourself when you'll follow through dramatically increases your chances of doing it.

Fourth, he emphasizes the power of community, reminding viewers that pursuing character is not a solo journey. Who you invite into your process matters deeply, as the apostle Paul warned that bad company corrupts good character.

Finally, Ricky lands on what may be the most encouraging habit hack of all: repetition over perfection. Growth is a process, and when you stumble, the goal isn't to be perfect, it's to get back on track. Ricky closes with the reassuring promise of Philippians 1:6, that God, who began a good work in you, will see it through to completion.

Whether you're just beginning your faith journey or looking to deepen your walk with God, this message will equip you with real, actionable tools to develop the kind of character that lasts.

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