1 Timothy 4 - 1.8.25
Scripture
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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. (1 Tim 4:7-8, NIV)
Observation
This is a letter written by Paul to Timothy, a young Pastor whom he personally mentored. He reminds Timothy that in the last days, there will be false teachers who will try to bring false doctrines (1 Tim 4:1). He advises Timothy to stay clear of the myths and stories, but rather train to be godly.
Paul compares cultivating godliness to physical training. Behind every physically fit man or woman with toned arms and legs, there is a consistent exercise and physical training regimen. To develop specific muscles, there are exercises specific to those muscles. For example, the exercises to develop your biceps are very different from the exercises to develop your triceps, though both are muscles in your upper arm. Consistency is key when you train.
Paul exhorts us to “train” our spiritual muscles to develop “godliness”. We will leave our physical bodies behind to rot, when we die. But we will carry our spiritual muscles we develop through intentional spiritual training and exercise, into eternity (1 Tim 4:8).
Application
What are some spiritual exercises that we can incorporate into our daily life to make sure that we develop spiritual muscles?
The Bible talks about many spiritual disciplines. Let us look at three, taught by Jesus Himself - prayer, fasting and giving to the poor. The most important and fundamental spiritual exercise that we must train ourselves on is daily prayer combined with Bible reading. Jesus taught us that when we pray, we should go into our room, close the door and pray to the Father (Matthew 6:6). Prayer is talking to God, and reading the Bible is how we hear from God, as the Bible is God’s word. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3: 16). When we incorporate prayer and Bible reading into our daily life everyday, we start to learn how to stay connected with Jesus and abide in Him, as we can do nothing without Him. (John 15:4,5).
Jesus teaches about giving to the needy and fasting in the same chapter he teaches about praying (Matthew 6). Jesus taught us that when we give to the poor, we should give secretly that one hand does not know what the other hand is giving (Matthew 6:3). Similarly when we fast, we are to go about looking as we usually do, not trying to look religious for the people’s admiration. (Matthew 6:16).
It is interesting that Jesus used the adverb “when”, to talk about praying, fasting and giving. He did not say “if you pray” or “if you give to the poor” or “if you fast”. Jesus said “when you pray”, “when you fast” and “when you give to the poor”. This makes it clear that Jesus expects these spiritual exercises to be a regular part of our life, and not an optional activity.
Let us flex some spiritual muscles.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for your plan for my life. Help me to be obedient to the call you have placed on my life. Help me to train to be godly as you desire. Please show me how to do that. Help me to pray, fast and give in a way that pleases you. As I join the church in fasting in this season, let my fasting be pleasing in your sight. Help me to draw close to you, knowing that you will draw close to me when I do so (James 4:8). Help me to live a life that pleases you. May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
