15/06/2026
DON’T LET SOMEONE’S BAD HABITS CHANGE YOUR GOOD HABITS.
When Pastor Chris said that if you are naturally respectful and greet people, you should continue greeting even when others refuse to respond, he was teaching that our character should not be controlled by other people’s attitudes. If someone refuses to greet back and you stop greeting altogether, then their bad habit has succeeded in changing your good habit.
A practical example of this can be seen in the supporters of the Japan national team. For many years, after matches at the World Cup, Japanese fans have been known for staying behind to clean the stadium, regardless of whether other fans do the same. They do not wait for others to copy them before doing what is right. Their commitment to cleanliness, discipline, and respect has remained consistent even though many other countries have not adopted the same practice.
This teaches a powerful lesson: Good character is proven by consistency. If you only do good when others do good, then your behavior is dependent on them. But when you continue doing what is right regardless of how others behave, you demonstrate maturity, integrity, and true godly character.
As believers, our standard is not people’s behavior; our standard is God’s Word. Therefore, whether others appreciate it or not, we should continue to be kind, respectful, diligent, loving, and humble. Never let someone else’s bad habits change your good habits. Instead, let your good habits be strong enough to influence others.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21.