1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (NIV)
Fitness is one of the hot topics in America, especially at the beginning of each and every year. Many people take this time of year to make New Year's resolutions about getting in shape and becoming physically fit. However, most people never think of their spiritual fitness but we are often consumed with our physical fitness. Even our concern for physical fitness is not 100% about fitness is often about our outward appearance. The spiritual aspect to fitness though is not concerned with just the outward appearance, but is concerned with who we are at all times inside and out. Our spiritual fitness is of utmost importance, as it is something that can and should be exhibited at all times.
Now please understand that this passage is not saying that we should not be physically fit for after all it tells us in verse 8 that physical training is some value. Which simply means that there is some profit or gain that can be obtained through our physical training and preparing our bodies to be physically fit. We should be good stewards over our body, because the Bible tells us 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, we have a biblical responsibility to take care of our bodies to be healthy Christians with a regular physical training regiment. After all, it is of benefit or profitable for us to do this. However, physical training only benefits one person and that is the one who is training and its benefits are only for this life. On the other hand, spiritual fitness benefits every person who crosses the spiritually fit person's path and its benefits are for both this present life and the life to come.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lee Haney, each won several Mr. Universe titles, but all of the physical training that they did, did not benefit me one bit. However, Jesus Christ, who was the most spiritually fit of all human beings, his life benefited everyone who has ever lived on the earth. All of his spiritual battles, all of his fasting, all of his of love, benefited every person who ever lived because he did them as one who was completely spiritually fit. In verse 8 of this passage of scripture lets us know that when we are spiritually fit or walk in godliness we then can be valuable to others and ourselves in ALL things. When we are spiritually fit and walking in godliness there is no situation that we do not have an answer for or are not able to deal with any situation, because God has deposited something in our spirit that dictates or has power over our physical bodies. When we are physically fit we have no power or ability to exercise dominion over physical infirmities, financial hardships, expressing love to our enemies, or any of those things that we have to deal with on a daily basis in our Christian walk.
Being physically fit will allow us to be able to run the race that God is set before us in a manner with great endurance from a physical standpoint. However, it will not give us the power to overcome the things that take place to us in the natural world. Look at it this way, the spiritual always dictate and has dominion over the natural. This is the way they God has set it up in the world so that it will benefit those who are spiritually fit. Many times we cannot overcome the things we face on a daily basis because we are spiritually out of shape. Our prayer life is not in order, our love walk is not in order, and our spiritual being within us does not have dominion over our flesh. This is one of the reasons why many Christians hate to hear the word fast, because it is something that is designed for Christians to be able to use to show our flesh that our spirit has dominion. Our flesh has convinced us that to fast or to deny it what it wants would kill us when in all actuality it would make us spiritually stronger and more disciplined. Prayer, fasting, studying the word of God, loving God and our neighbor with all that we have are ways that we can exercise our spiritual fitness for the good of all humankind.
This passage of scripture clearly lets us know that the spiritual aspect of life and godliness that it talks about is what has authority and dominion over and above the physical. If we as Christians are going to walk in the power, the authority, and the dominion that God has intended for us to have from the beginning of time, we must become spiritually fit. Our spiritual fitness is not to be consumed with outward appearance, but it is to be exhibited in the outward display of our love for God and humanity. But it all comes from the total submission of our hearts to God and exercising our spiritual authority over our physical bodies. It is not about giving the flesh what it wants, but exercising discipline in our flesh by giving the Holy Spirit, what it demands; dominion over our natural bodies. As verse 8 tells us, this will benefit us not only in the present life but in the life to come.
What are you doing to get yourself in spiritual shape?
Fitness is one of the hot topics in America, especially at the beginning of each and every year. Many people take this time of year to make New Year's resolutions about getting in shape and becoming physically fit. However, most people never think of their spiritual fitness but we are often consumed with our physical fitness. Even our concern for physical fitness is not 100% about fitness is often about our outward appearance. The spiritual aspect to fitness though is not concerned with just the outward appearance, but is concerned with who we are at all times inside and out. Our spiritual fitness is of utmost importance, as it is something that can and should be exhibited at all times.