How Can We Break Bad Habits with the Desert Fathers?

The lives of the Desert Fathers and Mothers revolve around very strict mental and physical discipline. Isolated in an inhospitable environment, the Desert Fathers are constantly confronted with themselves and, when living in community, with others, with no possibility of escape, diversion, or fleeing from the harsh reality within and without. By observing themselves closely and with a burning desire to draw closer to God without indulgence toward themselves but full of compassion for their brothers, they gained a profound understanding of the soul—its struggles, weaknesses, and temptations—as well as the spiritual practices needed to address them. It was thus through self-observation that they were able to recognize their own bad habits and those of their brothers, and to establish practices to counter them and return to the path toward God.

What are bad habits according to the Fathers?

The Fathers speak of bad habits or vices that hinder the spiritual quest and distance the soul from God. According to them, these bad habits are tendencies of the soul that, if left uncorrected, lead to spiritual ruin.

The first and most well-known harmful habits of the soul are the "deadly sins," as defined by Evagrius Ponticus. These are avarice, pride, jealousy (and envy), anger, lust, gluttony, andacedia (or sloth). Above all, we must observe these sins within ourselves and become aware of them with complete humility, recognizing the need for divine grace to overcome them.

But bad habits do not stop there. We can also mention vanity, which drives us to seek recognition and praise, and which is a major obstacle to true humility.

Impatience can also be considered a bad disposition of the soul because it refuses to endure setbacks and delays. It disturbs inner peace and makes the soul resistant to the divine will, which is often expressed through time and waiting. Ostentation—the desire to display one’s piety or virtues—is a form of vanity that distances the soul from sincerity and humility. The Desert Fathers advocate discretion in spiritual practices, seeking to please God rather than men.

Finally, doubt—especially doubt regarding divine providence—is a bad habit that can undermine faith. The Fathers teach total trust in God, even in times of difficulty and suffering, as an essential virtue for a deep spiritual life.

There are also purely mental bad habits that we face particularly in these troubled times: bad thoughts. For this reason, mental discipline is necessary. Let us see in the next chapter how to remedy this.

All these bad habits constitute serious obstacles on the path to spiritual perfection. The Desert Fathers, these healers of the soul, offer us valuable advice for overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in purifying the soul and rising toward God.

How can we break free from bad habits today?

Here are a few steps to help you break bad habits today, to be followed according to your abilities:

• Becoming aware of your habits is the first step toward transformation. To do this, practice regular examinations of conscience and honest introspection.
• Spiritual guidance is always essential for identifying one’s bad habits and receiving advice on how to overcome them. Confession allows one to receive forgiveness and the grace needed to get back on track.
• Be mindful of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions by guarding your heart
• Pray to deepen your connection with God and draw from Him the strength needed to fight
• The practice of meditation is also a valuable aid that allows us to develop inner calm and self-awareness
• Reading  Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers encourages and nourishes the soul
• The practice of asceticism, though not very popular, can help strengthen self-control and resistance to temptation. Silence, intermittent fasting, and limiting screen time are forms of asceticism.
• Practice discernment to distinguish what comes from God and what does not come from Him.
• Be mindful of one’s behavior,  listen to those who are close to us and know us well, and avoid automatically defending ourselves against what is said to us.
• Practicing charity through selfless acts can help divert attention away from oneself and selfish desires. By cultivating humility and compassion, we counteract vices such as pride and envy.

Let us remember that breaking free from bad habits is a process that requires time and perseverance. Patience and self-compassion—without falling into self-indulgence—along with perseverance in daily efforts are essential. Every small step counts and contributes to inner transformation. By integrating these practices into daily life, it is possible to overcome bad habits and progress toward a more fulfilling spiritual life, following in the footsteps of the Desert Fathers and adapting their wise counsel to our modern times.