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Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do?: Replace Deadly Vices with Life-Giving Virtues (How 10 Biblical Virtues Can Help You Get Unstuck & Overcome the Cycle of Self-Destructive Bad Habits) Paperback – March 14, 2023

by Jonathan "JP" Pokluda (Author), Jon Green (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 941 ratings
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We live in an upside-down culture. We wink at our vices as coping strategies while restricting our virtues to our online personas, where they won't interfere with our real lives. And we wonder why we feel empty, exhausted, and directionless. But why do we do things that we know are harmful for us?

Jonathan "JP" Pokluda wants you to know there's a better, more fulfilling way to live, and it doesn't involve looking inside yourself for the answers--because that's not where you'll find them. With his signature wit and wisdom, he explains, unpacks, and expands on the age-old virtues we're told to pursue in Scripture: humility, forgiveness, generosity, diligence, self-control, authenticity, rest, and optimism. Far from being restrictive, these God-given goals for living free us to love and live as we wish we would.

Practicing virtues is not just something you do--it's something done in you, slowly but surely transforming you into the person you were meant to be all along. Whether you're 18 or 80, it's never too late to redefine what's important to you and reclaim a life of virtue.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Baker Books
  4. Publication date
    March 14, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0801094968
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0801094965
  8. See all details
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    Outdated: Find Love That Lasts When Dating Has Changed
    Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults

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  4. JP Pokluda

    Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and former leader of The Porch, where he saw the ministry grow from 150 to more than 7,000 young adults. He is the author of the bestselling Welcome to Adulting and Outdated, as well as the Welcome to Adulting Survival Guide and Welcoming the Future Church.

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Pokluda, Why Do I Do
Pokluda, Why Do I Do
Pokluda, Why Do I Do
Pokluda, Why Do I Do
Pokluda Pokluda Pokluda Pokluda Pokluda
Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do? Outdated Welcome to Adulting Welcome to Adulting Survival Guide Welcoming the Future Church
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From the Back Cover

How to overcome the habits that are stealing joy from your life

Our upside-down culture celebrates vice and undervalues virtue, leading us to feed the wrong habits while we allow life-giving practices to die. It's no wonder we feel empty, exhausted, and directionless.

There's a better, more fulfilling way to live, and it doesn't involve looking inside yourself for the answers--because that's not where you'll find them. With his signature wit and wisdom, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda explains, unpacks, and expands on the age-old virtues we're told to pursue in Scripture: humility, forgiveness, sobriety, generosity, diligence, self-control, authenticity, rest, optimism, and gratitude. Far from being restrictive, these God-given goals for living free us to love and live as we wish we would.

Practicing virtues is not just something you do--it's something done in you, slowly but surely transforming you into the person you were meant to be all along. Whether you're eighteen or eighty, it's never too late to redefine what's important to you and reclaim a life of virtue.


"Every Christian I know gets stuck at some point in their journey doing something they don't want to do. In this book, JP not only shows you the way out but also presents a biblical and practical path to freedom that only Jesus can offer."--Jennie Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Find Your People; founder and visionary of IF: Gathering

"For all of us who wonder why sin is so tempting and wish we had better tools to turn away from it, JP gives us those tools in this book. It's genuine, kind, and may sting a little, but it will also walk you toward who you want to be."--Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

About the Author

Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and former leader of The Porch, where he saw the ministry grow from 150 to more than 7,000 young adults. The author of the bestselling Welcome to Adulting and Outdated, as well as the Welcome to Adulting Survival Guide and Welcoming the Future Church,Pokluda came to understand the grace of the gospel in his early twenties, which ignited a desire in him to reach people in their twenties and thirties for Christ. He lives with his wife, Monica, and their three children.

Jon Green has been on staff at Harris Creek in Waco, Texas, since 2013. He is a graduate of Baylor University and is the managing editor of BibleReadingPlan.org, a daily devotional and Bible study. Jon and his wife, Amanda, have two children and another on the way.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baker Books (March 14, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0801094968
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801094965
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.07 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 941 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan "JP" Pokluda

Jonathan "JP" Pokluda

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Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. In addition to this, he is the host of top 11 Christian Podcast, Becoming Something, as well as best-selling author of Outdated, Welcome to Adulting, Welcome to Adulting: Survival Guide and Welcoming the Future Church. JP's partner in ministry is Monica, his wife of eighteen years, and together they disciple their children Presley, Finley, and Weston. JP didn’t come to understand the grace of the Gospel until his early twenties after being involved in different denominational churches his entire life. This ignited a desire in him to inspire the next generation to radically follow Jesus Christ and unleash them to change the world.

Twitter: @JPokluda

Instagram: @JPokluda

Facebook: JonathanPokluda

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
941 global ratings
Besides the Bible, everyone should read this book!
5 Stars
Besides the Bible, everyone should read this book!
I pre- ordered this book and received it in January! I was so excited to dig into another JP Pokluda book. I read this book at very interesting season of my life- last semester of college and the last couple of months before I graduated and got married.I think many Christians are somewhat oblivious to how Satan works in our everyday world. One thing that really convicted me, was the chapter on Modern Wars. Being overly busy is something that I have struggled with and often prided myself in.I remember one day sitting on the beach and I read,” What makes me love God more?” And I just asked God that be would help me find rest in Him and who He was even though I was in a busy season of life. This book did take me a little bit longer to read and I finally finished it my first month of marriage in June. I appreciate JP’s vulnerability and compassion in how he speaks the truth in love. I recommend every person read this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

Andrew Verghese
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023
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I absolutely loved Jonathan Pokluda's book, "Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do." It's a 5-star gem that offers profound insights into understanding our behaviors and motivations. JP’s writing is clear, relatable, and filled with practical wisdom. If you're looking for a book that can help you break free from unwanted habits and gain better control over your actions, this is it! Highly recommended.
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Spencer S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot Recommend Highly Enough
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023
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This book is incredible. In "Why Do I Do", JP has achieved what many have failed to do: write a genuinely transformational, relevant, and biblical guide to sanctification without being a pithy self-help book. Many people the think the Bible is a rulebook of "do nots" to avoid, but JP simply presents how each vice will rob the reader of a full and joy-filled life, then shows the reader that rather than avoiding each vice, we should actively pursue the opposite virtue. With ten chapters covering ten vice/virtue pairs, this book is an anthology of the pragmatic truth that the Holy Spirit used to turn my life around three years ago. I grew up in the church, but didn't walk closely with Christ until I was about to graduate from college. It was a difficult time in my life, one when I came face to face with the ugly reality of where my thoughts, decisions, and actions had brought me. It was into this pivotal time in my life that my sisters introduced the podcast Becoming Something and JP's "Friday Q&A" on Instagram. For a young man who had been surrounded by a comfortable Christianity his whole life, JP's "tell the hard truths" approach was exactly what my prodigal heart needed to hear. Since then I have listened to hundreds of sermons and podcasts from The Porch, Becoming Something, and Harris Creek which the Holy Spirit has used to completely change my life. I have read all four of JP's books, and "Why Do I Do" is by far the most widely accessible and helpful book he has written to date. Don't get me wrong, "Welcoming the Future Church", "Welcome to Adulting", and "Outdated" are incredibly instructive and helpful, but "Why Do I Do" is not just a book for church staffs and young adults. It is a book for anyone who seeks to walk faithfully with Jesus Christ and become more and more like him. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. And JP, if you read this, I want you to know that I thank God every day for the work he has done in my life through the words and teachings of you and your colleagues at The Porch, BeSo, and Harris Creek. I am so blessed by you, and I pray for you.
21 people found this helpful
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Melanie
5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, relevant and a true blessing
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2023
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I loved this book so much, I bought copies for each of our adult children and gave my copy to our pastor to read! The content is well thought out, well written and applicable for young adults as well as for us older ones. It's an easy, fast read...HOWEVER...you'll wanna go back through it slowly and sit with the content to let it sink in. I had a couple of "aha" moments that felt like puzzle pieces going together as well as some times of conviction that led to tears of confession.
The vulnerability and courage that JP shows in speaking of his own struggles goes a long way towards making me less afraid to be the same way. All of this being said, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thanks be to God for speaking through JP to any soul who will pick up this book and take it to heart.
2 people found this helpful
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Noah Everhart
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important reads for a Christian…
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is without a doubt one of the most influential books other than the Bible itself. Jonathan Pokluda tackles 10 of the most prominent sin patterns in the world, and combats it with the truth and wisdom revealed to us in Scripture. His way of using stories of his own and of others helps paint a picture in your mind to grasp the severity of the message he is giving, but it also gives you an avenue to share what you have learned with others.
Buy this book for yourself, then buy one for all of your friends. This is such a great resource to use for a group of believers to go through together, but also great to be read in an individual setting. If you are hesitant to buy this book, you aren’t anymore. Go buy this book right now!
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Jami Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars We are not drifting toward holiness. We have to go the other way!
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2023
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“Like a moth to a flame, a baboon to a termite mound, or a dog to his vomit….we find ourselves drawn to the modern pleasures of the world.” (Paraphrased) This book is about those deadly sins, or modern pitfalls, that keep us from living our best life and how you can replace those behaviors with life giving virtues. The focus is mostly on the positive behavior, and the value it can add to your life. “We cannot stop a bad habit. We can only replace it with a good one.” How many times in my own life have I seen this to be true? Countless! We are imperfect sinners. We are inherently drawn to sin. But if we can turn our eyes and focus on God given solutions, we can free ourselves from hamster wheel of returning to sin.
I have heard many of the stories and messages in this book before, as I attend Harris Creek where JP is the pastor. But it is so nice to have them all together in this concise version. This is a book you will want to highlight, journal, & come back to many times because it’s such a valuable tool for living your best life. All of the chapters are great, but those I found most relevant and meaningful were:
Anger & Forgiveness - the practical advice & steps to forgiveness was so helpful. Apathy & Diligence - so relevant in a world of cultural Christianity. This chapter really challenged me to think about what it really means to be a Christian! I think it will challenge many others. Even if you can’t find too many sin struggles you relate to in this book, you will likely find meaning in this chapter. (Or you are like me and find all of them relevant!) Busyness & Rest - “When we discipline ourselves and devote ourselves to the things of God, our soul finds rest in a way we never thought possible.” Perception Management & Authenticity - “Your faith may be personal, but it was never meant to be private.” Every time you share your story, you are giving the devil less of a hold on you. This chapter is so relevant in our world today where perception seems to be reality. Drunkenness & Sobriety- God has called us to a life of passion & purpose vs. escape and detachment.

Those are just some of the big takeaways! It’s a great book and I hope you find it as valuable as I did!
21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Jessica
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for my brother
Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book to gift anyone you love in your life! JP- thank you!
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Sophie F
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
A really amazing book, each chapter has challenged me and drawn me closer to God!
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Bargoonhunter21
5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT👏🏼A👏🏼WORD👏🏼
Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Seriously praise the Lord, this is such a resource. Everyone is busy these days and a busy schedule may convince you that you don’t have time to read this. Squash that lie. This book equips for a busy life, shines light on blind spots, encourages rest, and ultimately points you to our Saviour. People often think burnout happens when we do to much. JP says in this book that burnout can come when we are doing the wrong thing by our own strength. The goal isn’t to have empty calendars; it’s that we be focused on the tasks God has given us, with the right motivations (p.170). This book helped take my eyes off myself and strengthened my faith. I’ve been sharing it with all my friends here in Ontario, Canada. So worth the read!!
2 people found this helpful
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Denise Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars Jp has written a book, that Christian’s NEED to read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Jps ability to share his own struggles and personal experience with sin, while showing us scripture based ways to counter attack and to guard our hearts from sin, in order to replace, daily self-made bad habits with life giving virtues. Any Christian looking to grow deeper in Jesus, understanding grace or just wanting to know, how to build healthy habits to fight sin, NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!! Solid 10/10 one of the best books if not the best I’ve ever written! Well done Jp & Jg
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M Faith
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for those looking to deepen their faith
Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved reading through this book. I purchased during the pre-sale, so had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook as well. The book met me right where I was at in my faith, and I found there to be useful advice, paired with biblical teaching throughout the book. I really appreciated how JP shares his story throughout the book, and uses the work that God has done in his life to minister to readers. I know I came away feeling challenged, and encouraged in my faith at the same time. Thankful for this book and the work God is doing through JP, ministering to young adults especially.
One person found this helpful
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