Bank of Bad Habits
Here's a confession: I listen to Jimmy Buffett. There are some songs I object to, but overall I enjoy the escapism of being at the beach anytime I want to go, simply by listening to one of his songs. There's one song that I particularly enjoy due to its biblical basis. Its called the "Bank of Bad Habits." For those of you who listen to or have listened to Buffett in the past, it will be no surprise that it's a bouncy song with a beach/blues sound.
The song talks about (I don't mean to point out the obvious) a bank of bad habits where we make deposits and withdrawals. However, at this bank it's not money, CDs, etc. It's a bank where we deposit and withdraw our bad habits.
Believe it or not, the bad habits he lists are, as I mentioned before, in the Bible. They are: pride, coveting, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. One of the reasons I enjoy this song so much is that when I commit one of these sins a little song starts playing in my head. Can you guess which one? It seems almost as if it's God's comical way of reminding me of what I'm in the midst of. For those of you who object to me inferring that God has a sense of humor, let me answer you with a joke. How do you make God laugh? Make plans. I digress.
Another part of the song has the following lyrics:
"Bank of bad habits - One by one they'll do you in.
They're bound to take their toll."
Here's the other truth of the song: these same habits, which at times can become idols we hide at all costs, will catch up with us some day. They will reveal us either at work, home, with our kids or spouse. Usually it's at the most inopportune time.
How do we resolve these sins? How do we break free from them? Pray, pray and then pray some more. We have to ask for forgiveness for each of them. Identify them one by one as best you can. We also need to truly repent of each sin, going so far as to ask God to help you break free. However, the decision is still ultimately up to you as to choosing God's will or your own. He will never let the temptation be stronger than what you can handle and He will always give you a way out. He promises it in scripture:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
To give Buffett some credit, one of the other lines in the song is:
"So put away those alibis.
You can't fool that Banker in the sky."
Boy is that the truth! So what will it be today - a deposit or withdrawal? Or possibly a permanent closing of the account?
