
"Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. 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." -1 Timothy 4:7-8 (The Message Bible)
Daily time in God's word cannot be stressed enough. Why is it that we will spend time at the gym, time in the mirror, time in front of the TV, time reading a good book, time with sports, etc. but we neglect time in God's word? Are we a bunch of spiritually flabby people? Chances are we won't even admit to that. If challenged, as is now, we would probably say something like... "Ugh, I read God's word... I see it quoted on Facebook and I like the posts all the time." Or, "I go to church." Or, "I'm a good person, I don't need to read God's word to be a good person." Here's the problem, when we don't know God's word we will easily be tripped up by all the religious jargon out there. We end up getting flabby on spiritual "junk-food." We hear bits and pieces of the Bible and we limp through life out of shape because there is no lasting and sometimes no real sustenance in what we're listening to. Paul is telling Timothy in this verse, pay attention. Be diligent. Keep yourself spiritually fit so you can know God's word and you can teach TRUE doctrine. A solid knowledge of God and His word will help us in EVERY area of life. So be disciplined! Stop pigging out with the spiritual fast-foods of the day and stay fit by eating smart and healthy with a daily supply of God's word. <><
Daily time in God's word cannot be stressed enough. Why is it that we will spend time at the gym, time in the mirror, time in front of the TV, time reading a good book, time with sports, etc. but we neglect time in God's word? Are we a bunch of spiritually flabby people? Chances are we won't even admit to that. If challenged, as is now, we would probably say something like... "Ugh, I read God's word... I see it quoted on Facebook and I like the posts all the time." Or, "I go to church." Or, "I'm a good person, I don't need to read God's word to be a good person." Here's the problem, when we don't know God's word we will easily be tripped up by all the religious jargon out there. We end up getting flabby on spiritual "junk-food." We hear bits and pieces of the Bible and we limp through life out of shape because there is no lasting and sometimes no real sustenance in what we're listening to. Paul is telling Timothy in this verse, pay attention. Be diligent. Keep yourself spiritually fit so you can know God's word and you can teach TRUE doctrine. A solid knowledge of God and His word will help us in EVERY area of life. So be disciplined! Stop pigging out with the spiritual fast-foods of the day and stay fit by eating smart and healthy with a daily supply of God's word. <><