EXERCISE THYSELF
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and EXERCISE THYSELF rather unto godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7
Exercise is defined as the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit. The act of using. A task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding.
In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical exercise in order to be physically fit. Physical fitness is good and important but spiritual health and fitness is even more important. Just as physical exercise develop our physical muscle, spiritual exercise unto godliness also develop our spiritual muscles.
Just as we run, jump, jog, walk and do other forms of physical exercises to keep physically fit, there are equivalents of such in the in the spiritual life to keep spiritually fit. Some of these spiritual exercises include, Prayers-continual and constant communion with God. Reading and Meditation on the Word of God which is spiritual nourishment for the spirit-man. Obedience-putting into practice what we have read in the Scriptures and heard the Holy Spirit taught us. Other forms of spiritual exercise include fastings-denial of self in some things for the spirit-man to gain more strength to rule over the flesh. Giving is another godly exercise.
Another way to exercise unto godliness is to engage our God-given gifts and abilities in the service of the Kingdom. The gifts we neglect to use will wither and become dormant. Put the gifts of God in your life to exercise. The more we use it, the stronger it becomes like a muscle we constantly engaged in physical exercise. Highly skilled and talented athletes lose their abilities if their muscles aren’t toned by constant use. Likewise, we will lose our spiritual gifts if we don’t put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise, but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practise and nourishment. What gifts and abilities has God given you? Use them regularly in serving God and others.
Those who would develop spiritual muscle must exercise themselves unto godliness. And it requires a constant exercise. Bodily exercise profits little, or for a little time. But there is a great deal to be gotten by godliness; it will be of use to us in the whole of our life here on earth and in the hereafter, for it has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
