“I work out”

By: Monique Smith

There are many places in scripture where physical activity is compared to spiritual activity. 

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 4:7-8-

“ ….Rather, train yourself in godliness, for, the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Let’s also flip over to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27-

^“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

A few days ago my friend Tiffany tweeted this: “Folks nearly out of breath running after worldly pursuits. Build your treasures in heaven.” Her tweet sums up the gist of this devotional. If we notice in both of the above scriptures, Paul is encouraging training of our spirits. Paul realizes the importance and the necessity of training ourselves spiritually to walk out this Christian lifestyle. We have to literally train ourselves to be Christ like because our flesh is completely opposite from what we should be doing.  In verse 25 of Corinthians, Paul notes that everyone who competes in races, practice self-control. Before a 5k, individuals spend many weeks in preparation for the event, which could mean better eating habits, more hydration, controlled breathing, etc. These people are prepared. Just as Fred stated in a recent devotional, we are at a constant war, so we can’t sit around expecting preparation to come simply by occasionally reading a scripture or whispering a prayer. We have to bring our bodies under strict discipline. We have to ignore its desires and cravings to be qualified for the race and to “reach the mark of the higher calling of God” (Phil 3:14). Paul tells us that we should train ourselves in godliness.

So Monique, how am I to do that?

Glad you asked! I can think of no better teacher than the Holy Spirit! Throughout your day, begin asking Him to show you ways you can be more godly or ways you can develop the fruit of the spirit. We want to develop these characteristics and continually train our spirits to be more Christ like because these are the things that are pleasing to God. Sure, it may be great to win a medal or to achieve other personal life goals, but if we have no stock stored in heaven for us, everything we do is in vain.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being so mighty. So marvelous. So great. So big. So loving. So kind. So goofy. So powerful. You are really amazing to me. God, thank you for your word and the ability and desire you have given me to thirst after righteousness.  God help me overcome any barriers that are preventing me from truly serving you and suiting up to be a “solider in tha army of the Lord” (old church mother voice lol). God I want and desire to be better. So much better than I have been in the past. Make me new. Use me. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.