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Heart & Habits: How We Change for Good
“In this distinctively Christian approach to habits, Greg Gifford makes the case from Scripture that both heart motivations and godly practice are critical for growth in Christ. He shows that progressive sanctification travels on a bidirectional highway between our hearts and our habits—we do what we love and we love as we do! Filled with concrete examples and exercises to address our hearts and habits in the various spheres of life, Greg helps the reader put into practice the fear of the LORD in everyday life.” –MICHAEL R. EMLET, M.Div., M.D., Dean of Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), and author of Saints, Sufferers, and Loving Others As God Loves Us
142 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 24, 2022
This book is a very helpful tool to making changes in your life for the glory of God. Gifford's little book puts together a manual unlike any other currently available in print. He pulls from the Puritans, interacts with wrong psychological viewpoints, and most of all makes his case from Scripture. Very highly recommended for all Christians.
October 24, 2022
I made it! I really struggled with this book in the beginning as it took a long time to get going. As the first explicitly Christian book on habits, Gifford had a lot of groundwork to do before he could jump into the details. Although I hadn't seen it all laid out in this fashion before, I was familiar with a lot of the material in the first half.
But once I got past that 50% mark I loved it! Gifford does a fabulous job of reminding use of our life priorities and our motivation to do anything. Soli Deo Gloria!But what what really made me like this book was his last, tiny, chapter, on education. As a college student, many of his examples of family and vocation fell short for me. But when he talked about how education is almost more valuable in its habit-forming facets than in the information learned, my mind was blown!
This extremely busy time of my life is teaching me how to form habits. It is teaching me study, to be diligent, to make time for the important things. And these habits should last me my whole life. Now I have a whole new outlook.
My biggest complaint: why did he not mention reading books at all? Isn't that a VITAL habit??
But once I got past that 50% mark I loved it! Gifford does a fabulous job of reminding use of our life priorities and our motivation to do anything. Soli Deo Gloria!But what what really made me like this book was his last, tiny, chapter, on education. As a college student, many of his examples of family and vocation fell short for me. But when he talked about how education is almost more valuable in its habit-forming facets than in the information learned, my mind was blown!
This extremely busy time of my life is teaching me how to form habits. It is teaching me study, to be diligent, to make time for the important things. And these habits should last me my whole life. Now I have a whole new outlook.
My biggest complaint: why did he not mention reading books at all? Isn't that a VITAL habit??
September 7, 2022
This was a great read!! It really addresses the core of our habits, present ones and ones we may desire to create later. Why do we do things...what is our motivation? It makes you think more about our heart motivation and then gives practical application ideas. I loved it!!!
January 20, 2024
A very helpful read! I loved Gifford’s focus on the purpose of glorifying God and serving/benefiting others in developing and cultivating habits. His “Inventory of Habits” near the end were also thought-provoking.
March 29, 2025
Greg Gifford’s Biblical counseling podcast, “Transformed,” has been a meaningful resource in my growth as a believer—so I came to Heart & Habits with high expectations. While the content delivers scripturally grounded insights on sanctification and habit formation, a few quirks, mostly in tone and editing held it back from a higher rating.
The good:
- Outlining the role of the Holy Spirit in habit change
- Balanced approach in addressing behavior modification and transformation under the umbrella of sanctification
- Tieback to Puritan “natural habit” as habits in action vs character as habits of virtue
- Outstanding list of self-evaluation questions in Chapter 12. When this book comes off the shelf, it’s to work through that list again.
The bad:
- His claim that at time of writing (2021), “there are no other Christian books focused solely on habit development,” is easily disprovable—and unnecessary. It felt like it was left over from a dissertation, where he was planting a territorial stake in the ground of academic novelty for a research topic.
- His tone throughout the book is overall pretty down to earth, which is great. But it sets up a strange clash with the formality of figure references. One second, he’s telling a relatable story about that friend wanting to celebrate month-days because birthdays just aren’t enough. The next, he’s referring the reader to Figure 6.2. Speaking of figures…
- The figures were not that helpful. They tried to seem technical and memorable, but I can’t say they were either. Generally, just low information density. Speaking of space taker-uppers…
- I kept forgetting what the cover graphic of the book looked like and I really didn’t want to go through the hassle of peaking at the front cover to remind myself. Thankfully, it’s reprinted just short of a dozen times at odd spots throughout the book.
Core content-wise, the book was great. I think most of its quirks are editing/publishing related, so I’ve got high hopes for whatever he writes next. Either way, his podcast is fully worth recommending.
The good:
- Outlining the role of the Holy Spirit in habit change
- Balanced approach in addressing behavior modification and transformation under the umbrella of sanctification
- Tieback to Puritan “natural habit” as habits in action vs character as habits of virtue
- Outstanding list of self-evaluation questions in Chapter 12. When this book comes off the shelf, it’s to work through that list again.
The bad:
- His claim that at time of writing (2021), “there are no other Christian books focused solely on habit development,” is easily disprovable—and unnecessary. It felt like it was left over from a dissertation, where he was planting a territorial stake in the ground of academic novelty for a research topic.
- His tone throughout the book is overall pretty down to earth, which is great. But it sets up a strange clash with the formality of figure references. One second, he’s telling a relatable story about that friend wanting to celebrate month-days because birthdays just aren’t enough. The next, he’s referring the reader to Figure 6.2. Speaking of figures…
- The figures were not that helpful. They tried to seem technical and memorable, but I can’t say they were either. Generally, just low information density. Speaking of space taker-uppers…
- I kept forgetting what the cover graphic of the book looked like and I really didn’t want to go through the hassle of peaking at the front cover to remind myself. Thankfully, it’s reprinted just short of a dozen times at odd spots throughout the book.
Core content-wise, the book was great. I think most of its quirks are editing/publishing related, so I’ve got high hopes for whatever he writes next. Either way, his podcast is fully worth recommending.
March 8, 2022
Unique book
I say unique because it is indeed true, as Dr. Gifford argues, there are very few books written from a biblical perspective covering the topic of habit development. Practical book. Highly recommended.
I say unique because it is indeed true, as Dr. Gifford argues, there are very few books written from a biblical perspective covering the topic of habit development. Practical book. Highly recommended.
December 19, 2021
This book was the most encouraging and inspiring book I read in 2021! I appreciated Gifford tackling a topic that the world is thinking through from a biblical perspective! I bought a bunch of copies to give away because I thought it was so useful for so many different stages in life.
December 30, 2021
Back some time ago while teaching an Introduction to Biblical Counseling class, I taught a brief section on habits. I told the class about the power of habits (both good and bad) and challenged the class to pick some habit they have and try to change that habit. I illustrated this by sharing about a time I decided to run a test on how hard it is to change a lifetime habit. The habit I chose was how I brush my teeth. For decades I had brushed my teeth a particular way and it was now habituated in my life to the point that I don't even really think about what I am doing when brushing my teeth, but instead, I think about other things such as my schedule for the day or something happening in someone's life. I'm right handed so in trying to change my teeth-brushing habit, I started to use my left hand. It was basically a circus. Actually it was rather humorous as I looked in the mirror and saw toothpaste on my face and on the edges of the sink. For weeks I attempted to break the habit. Sometimes if I was in a hurry, I would forget and return to my right hand approach to brushing the pearly whites. As a whole though, I worked hard to try to break the habit and establish a new habit. It was brutal, laborious, and after some time, I surrendered. Kind of. I had developed my skill enough that it wasn't a disaster, but it was just much easier and less time consuming to use my right hand. That illustration became a vivid picture for me (and hopefully the students in the class) of the challenges one faces when breaking a habit and establishing a new one. Now, the issue of brushing teeth has no eternal significance but, what about other much more important habits in our lives? Truth be told, we live life habituated and some of those habits can have tremendous results, either good or bad.
Greg E. Gifford, in his book, "Heart & Habits" seeks to help the reader think through and change significant habits in his/her life. This excellent book is biblical, insighful, and loaded with much practical counsel. Interestingly enough, this is probably the only book in the Christian market that is written exclusively about habits. That is one of numerous reasons why this book is so valuable.
Gifford begins his book by helping the reader understand the role that habits play in our lives. Everyday and all day, we function out of habits. For example, I was telling my wife this morning about a life of habits as I got dressed. I put on my pants and then stopped and said, Think about this. I put those pants on out of habit, but imagine if we did things not out of habit. And I role played what it would look like to do something simple like putting on a pair of pants. Talk about living a laborious life. Gifford points out the reality that habits play in daily living and helps the reader understand both what habits really are and why they make the difference in our lives. Gifford makes it clear that habits are not simply muscle memory issues that would simply be relegated to a physiological action but habits grow out of what is going on in the heart. Because habits are a heart issue, one must develop a Biblical understanding of how habits develop, the role of the Holy Spirit in changing habits, and then how changing habits takes place. Gifford considers both the inward and outward effects of habits in our lives. A critical chapter is where the author writes about the purposes of habits. This is one of many places where Gifford and a Biblical understanding would part ways with pop-cultures' writings on habits. For the believer, the purpose of habits are first and foremost about glorifying God. Once that is established, then one can begin to see other purposes for developing good and godly habits.
The last third of the book, Gifford gets very practical and talks about the formation of habits, the five areas/spheres to evaluate habits in, and gives specific directions on how to evaluate, identify habits that need to change, and then how to go about changing the habits. The practical nature of this part of the book is very helpful to one who wants to get serious about the habits in his/her life.
I think that this is an incredibly helpful resource and should be widely used by followers of Christ and in discipleship relationships.
Greg E. Gifford, in his book, "Heart & Habits" seeks to help the reader think through and change significant habits in his/her life. This excellent book is biblical, insighful, and loaded with much practical counsel. Interestingly enough, this is probably the only book in the Christian market that is written exclusively about habits. That is one of numerous reasons why this book is so valuable.
Gifford begins his book by helping the reader understand the role that habits play in our lives. Everyday and all day, we function out of habits. For example, I was telling my wife this morning about a life of habits as I got dressed. I put on my pants and then stopped and said, Think about this. I put those pants on out of habit, but imagine if we did things not out of habit. And I role played what it would look like to do something simple like putting on a pair of pants. Talk about living a laborious life. Gifford points out the reality that habits play in daily living and helps the reader understand both what habits really are and why they make the difference in our lives. Gifford makes it clear that habits are not simply muscle memory issues that would simply be relegated to a physiological action but habits grow out of what is going on in the heart. Because habits are a heart issue, one must develop a Biblical understanding of how habits develop, the role of the Holy Spirit in changing habits, and then how changing habits takes place. Gifford considers both the inward and outward effects of habits in our lives. A critical chapter is where the author writes about the purposes of habits. This is one of many places where Gifford and a Biblical understanding would part ways with pop-cultures' writings on habits. For the believer, the purpose of habits are first and foremost about glorifying God. Once that is established, then one can begin to see other purposes for developing good and godly habits.
The last third of the book, Gifford gets very practical and talks about the formation of habits, the five areas/spheres to evaluate habits in, and gives specific directions on how to evaluate, identify habits that need to change, and then how to go about changing the habits. The practical nature of this part of the book is very helpful to one who wants to get serious about the habits in his/her life.
I think that this is an incredibly helpful resource and should be widely used by followers of Christ and in discipleship relationships.
February 19, 2022
Gifford’s work is a phenomenal contribution to the body of biblical counseling literature. In fact, it is in a standalone class, being the first modern piece of literature to combine these themes in a biblical way. He’s building on a puritan vision of the habits to reclaim a distinctly Christian perspective.
Virtually all the books on habit development focus on how to build them while neglecting the motivation for why they are formed. Gifford says “we must be motivated by an over arching desire to please God. That desire is at the center of biblical habit formation” (30). God’s glory and the blessing of others are the primary and secondary goals of our habits (9). Efficiency and productivity are not the goal of our lives he says, but God’s glory. And becoming the type of person that is devoted to doing good works (Tit. 3:8, 14).
The work is incredibly practical and comes with some helpful exercises to clarify which spheres of life need attention in our habit development.
Biblical counselors and Christians alike can learn a great deal from Gifford. Christians ought to be instructors in habits. An understanding of habits can help answer the question that often bewilders people when they ask, “how did my life end up here?” Like a quiet, gradual, slow moving stream, habits operate and direct many aspects of our lives, often without us even realizing it. Gifford says our mental habits play a major role in shaping our spiritual life. The habits of spiritual disciplines are central to a healthy, flourishing spiritual life, and when absent, there is often a direct correlation with sinful practices.
Perhaps one of the key insights of this book is that our habits can shape our desires. Oftentimes, we will love something with increasing desire the more we do it. While the overarching biblical emphasis is on the heart flowing out into behavior, our behaviors can also shape our hearts. For example, consider the person who habitually tithes or attends church; their hearts will inevitably be shaped by those good habits.
Virtually all the books on habit development focus on how to build them while neglecting the motivation for why they are formed. Gifford says “we must be motivated by an over arching desire to please God. That desire is at the center of biblical habit formation” (30). God’s glory and the blessing of others are the primary and secondary goals of our habits (9). Efficiency and productivity are not the goal of our lives he says, but God’s glory. And becoming the type of person that is devoted to doing good works (Tit. 3:8, 14).
The work is incredibly practical and comes with some helpful exercises to clarify which spheres of life need attention in our habit development.
Biblical counselors and Christians alike can learn a great deal from Gifford. Christians ought to be instructors in habits. An understanding of habits can help answer the question that often bewilders people when they ask, “how did my life end up here?” Like a quiet, gradual, slow moving stream, habits operate and direct many aspects of our lives, often without us even realizing it. Gifford says our mental habits play a major role in shaping our spiritual life. The habits of spiritual disciplines are central to a healthy, flourishing spiritual life, and when absent, there is often a direct correlation with sinful practices.
Perhaps one of the key insights of this book is that our habits can shape our desires. Oftentimes, we will love something with increasing desire the more we do it. While the overarching biblical emphasis is on the heart flowing out into behavior, our behaviors can also shape our hearts. For example, consider the person who habitually tithes or attends church; their hearts will inevitably be shaped by those good habits.
February 27, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Often, Christian books like this can feel like rehashed worldly advice with a sprinkle of out of context Bible verses and Christian buzzwords! However, this book was a breath of fresh air. It emphasizes that our core beliefs and habits should be rooted in Christ, with the ultimate goal of glorifying God and helping others before helping ourselves. This perspective was not only refreshing but also truly helpful. The second half of the book provides practical applications for these principles.
While I already think I have a good system (daily routine) in place for fostering healthy habits, this book helped me uncover some blind spots that I plan to include. I may revisit it for a quick refresher occasionally, as it offers solid biblical wisdom on our hearts and the habits we form. Overall, I recommend this book.
While I already think I have a good system (daily routine) in place for fostering healthy habits, this book helped me uncover some blind spots that I plan to include. I may revisit it for a quick refresher occasionally, as it offers solid biblical wisdom on our hearts and the habits we form. Overall, I recommend this book.
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March 19, 2022"No matter how much work you do, only God can bring about change in your life." p8
Gifford goes on to explain the purpose and importance of good habits in the Christian life.
He says that the main purpose of good habits is for the glory, valuing, and pleasure of God. p9
Favorite quote: "Do not think God will do our work for us while we sit. As God will blow up a spark of grace by His Spirit, so we must be blowing it up by holy efforts." - Thomas Watson p7
This brings to mind Phil 2:12-13 for us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who at work within us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
What follows is information about habits, the sphere of habits and the prioritization of habits. p140, 141
Gifford goes on to explain the purpose and importance of good habits in the Christian life.
He says that the main purpose of good habits is for the glory, valuing, and pleasure of God. p9
Favorite quote: "Do not think God will do our work for us while we sit. As God will blow up a spark of grace by His Spirit, so we must be blowing it up by holy efforts." - Thomas Watson p7
This brings to mind Phil 2:12-13 for us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who at work within us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
What follows is information about habits, the sphere of habits and the prioritization of habits. p140, 141
January 28, 2023
Great read! Habits are frequent practices that make up who we are. As Christians, we are to have habits that first glorify God and secondarily serve others. Ultimately, we make goals based on our hearts. Our habits can be divided into 5 spheres. In order of importance/priority: Spiritual (church attendance, Bible reading/meditation, prayer), Personal (time management, exercise, diet, budgeting), Familial (relationship with spouse then children), Vocational (work projects/emails, organization, time management, professional growth), and Social (relationships with friends, acquaintances, neighbors).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
This one little book is spanning a tremendous void in modern Christian thought about habits and sanctification. While not leaving out the need for the Spirit or the necessity of having the motivation of God’s glory, Dr. Gifford clearly shows that gaining in virtue is a work of faithful habit building. There is a place for miraculous transformation, but most of the Christian’s advance, in matters temporal as well as eternal, is carried out by the ethics of virtue made second nature by practice. To forget this is to ignore the usual means of growth.
August 24, 2025
I’ve wanted to read this book for some time and it’s excellent! Yes the goal of our habits should be the glory of God and the good of others. However, many of us don’t realize how some of our habits can be detrimental to our spiritual life and relationships.
I like how the author targets on the heart, explains the effects of habits, habit formation and the priorities of habits. The five spheres are very helpful: spiritual, personal, familial, vocational and social- each should please God!
Highly recommended!!
I like how the author targets on the heart, explains the effects of habits, habit formation and the priorities of habits. The five spheres are very helpful: spiritual, personal, familial, vocational and social- each should please God!
Highly recommended!!
May 3, 2023
Helpful, practical, biblical advice on habit forming. It’s not a self-help book, which is so refreshing. I think the author is probably a very good counselor who would be easy talk to it just didn’t translate well into a book. However, I do recommend it. The tools included to assess habits and aid in habit formation seem very helpful and doable.
March 28, 2024
Succinct and biblical. Dr. Gifford helps us see how our new heart in Christ directs us to new habits which the Lord uses to continue to santify us. Read this one after Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges.
Bridges gets you a sound theology of sanctification and Gifford hels you put the rubber to the road and get going.
Praise the Lord for this help!
Bridges gets you a sound theology of sanctification and Gifford hels you put the rubber to the road and get going.
Praise the Lord for this help!
March 25, 2022
Perspective
This book was helpful, if your having trouble putting it all together and trying to understand the right way to glorify God in your life, understanding how good habits can help is not only helpful but nessisary. I'm pretty sure I highlighted the majority of the book.
This book was helpful, if your having trouble putting it all together and trying to understand the right way to glorify God in your life, understanding how good habits can help is not only helpful but nessisary. I'm pretty sure I highlighted the majority of the book.
March 8, 2023
I’m all about disciplines, productivity and efficiency. I loved that he stressed that the main reason we need to cultivate healthy habits in these areas is to glorify God and serve others. It was a fresh look and gives me new motivation and excitement to work on habits that I’m struggling with.
July 11, 2023
Great book
Awesome useful book. Wished I'd found it sooner in life. Not only practical but founded on Jesus. Will share with others.
Awesome useful book. Wished I'd found it sooner in life. Not only practical but founded on Jesus. Will share with others.
January 18, 2024
Exceptional. clear, and helpful resource to read to have a biblical foundation of habit formation.
November 17, 2025
Solid book on an important topic. He probably could have spent more time on developing habits and less time on the theory, but still a very helpful book
December 4, 2025
Very helpful
I really liked the emphasis on the why of habits. Dr. Gifford spent the entire first half of the book discussing the heart behind habits: how they affect us and why we care about them. In the second half he gave some good insight into how to evaluate existing habits and establish new ones.
I really liked the emphasis on the why of habits. Dr. Gifford spent the entire first half of the book discussing the heart behind habits: how they affect us and why we care about them. In the second half he gave some good insight into how to evaluate existing habits and establish new ones.
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