As you step out today, here’s a reminder of God’s word to you from 1Timothy 4:8 [TLB].
“Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.”
MSG Translation says,
“Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart.”
NIV Translations says,
“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.”
Today’s Bible verse emphasizes the need for spiritual exercise and reminds you and me as believers of the importance of staying spiritual fit. It reminds us that it is time for a Spiritual Fitness checkup.
Today’s Bible scripture also reminds us of the benefits we derive from staying spiritual fit which comes with a truckload of blessings that far outweighs this present life.
In a world where the craze for physical exercise has become something of a fad/fashion, people invest a lot of money in physical fitness equipment and gears just so that they maintain their fitness.
Scroll through a social media page and you are bombarded with all sorts of convincing physical fitness ads and pictures of before and after of people’s fitness journey.
This, therefore, makes anyone who has not yet jumped on this bandwagon fad ( i.e. is not a member of a gym or not engaging in one form of physical activity or the other ) to be regarded as unfit and not being part of the trend.
Physical exercise is good and very important because it has immediate and long-lasting health benefits. It helps to reduce the risk of developing several diseases and it also improves physical health, well being and the quality of one’s life.
The Bible no doubt recognizes the value of physical exercise/ training and if we interpret today’s verse it also means that the Bible encourages us as believers to exercise and take care of our physical health.
However, today’s Bible verse admonishes you and me to focus more on our spiritual fitness as this is what will sustain our life in this present life and the one after.
Apostle Paul in this scripture emphasis that spiritual fitness far outweighs physical fitness and this is because our physical body is designed to degenerate and die. This goes to show that physical exercise is temporary, not lasting and it is not forever.
Spiritual fitness and exercise are of eternal value. It impacts on our state of spiritual well being, making us in tune with the Holyspirit and keeping us in line with God’s will.
Our state of Spiritual Fitness is also very important because it influences our behavior and impacts on our interaction with others by helping us to be Christ-like in our attitude and behavior, making others want to emulate us.
It helps to keep our mind sound and ensures our peace even in the midst of storms.
It helps to increase our faith in the Lord and it provides us with the strength we need to go through life situations and challenges.
It can also help us to overcome, stress, pain, disappointment, anxiety, worry, fear, insecurity, low self-esteem, and trauma by developing our spiritual capacity (faith) and providing us with the spiritual stamina to withstand whatever life throws our way.
The state of our spiritual fitness indicates the spiritual battle we can take on because it is the level of our spiritual understanding that will determine the power and authority of Christ we can exercise!
As a believer, it is important to know that the state of your spiritual fitness will determine the success and the victory you will experience per time. This is why you can not afford to invest more time in your physical fitness while you barely invest little in your spiritual fitness.
The equation and order of things as a believer must be Spiritual Fitness > Physical Fitness.
Therefore, as you go about your daily business and activities today, take time to meditate on this scripture and truthfully ask yourself what is my equation.
Is my Physical Fitness > Spiritual Fitness or is it Physical Fitness = Spiritual Fitness?
If this equation reflects where you are, then it’s time for you to change the balance and begin to equip yourself with every spiritual kit, gears and equipment ( Bible, faith-based books, fasting, praying, worship, ) that will enhance and build your faith to make your Spiritual Fitness exceed your physical Fitness.
Today’s Bible verse says to ‘Exercise daily in God’ and you can do this by reading and meditating on God’s word (the Bible), reading faith-based books that will build your faith and increase your spiritual knowledge and understanding and by putting God’s word to practice.
Also, praying, fasting, attending Bible study, going to a bible believing church, and fellowshipping and hanging out with other believers with similar desire and passion to keep spiritual fit.
Remember, physical fitness which is only temporary requires discipline, so also does spiritual fitness, so ask the Holyspirit to give you the grace to be disciplined to invest more in your spiritual fitness.
I pray for you today that the Holyspirit will strengthen you and give you the grace to be disciplined in your pursuit of spiritual fitness.
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you.
