… rather, train yourself to be godly.
Summary: Learning to train ourselves to be godly requires thinking about spiritual training in a whole new way.
I would love to sit down with Paul and talk about the history of the church so far. It would be interesting to hear his take on what he would categorize as “godless myths and old wives’ tales.”
Over the years, the church has had to deal with many different attacks on the truth of the Gospel. In Paul’s day, it was the Judaizers who insisted that Christians should submit to the old covenant laws of Moses. It is possible that mystery religions like Gnosticism were gnawing at the edges of Christianity even while Paul was alive.
What we learn from reading about Paul is that being a Christian doesn’t mean that life is without conflict. What it means is that as Christians, we deal with conflict differently than non-believers do.
If we are going to be effective representatives of God’s Kingdom here on earth, we need to be ready for anything. We need to be “in shape,” just like a fighter who is preparing for a match.
So what are we to do? How do we “train” ourselves to be godly?
If we use physical training as a model for godly training, there are some pointers we can pick up.
First, a fighter is careful about what they eat. Different fighters have different weight goals, but whatever their game is, they eat appropriately for the fight.
Second, a fighter in training is disciplined. They run to build up their cardio capacity, exercising and training to develop strength and muscle memory. When they step into the ring or onto the mat, they don’t have time to think about what they are going to do. The body has to be trained to operate without thinking.
Third, a fighter in training takes direction. The coach is someone who knows things about the fighter that they themselves don’t see. The coach sees the patterns in the fighter’s technique that leave him open to attack. He trains the fighter diligently for the day when he goes into battle.
As Christians, we need to be in God’s Word every day. We need to know the Bible inside and out. Doing battle with Satan requires confidence that we know God’s Word and his promises.
We need to practice dealing with attacks from within. When anger wells up, we punch back with love (agapē). When impatience rears its head, we slow down and walk, breathing deeply. When injustice causes pain, we turn that pain over to Jesus.
Which brings us to the Coach.
God gives each one of us his Holy Spirit. We do well to listen to what he tells us.
Application: Train for Jesus every day.
Food for Thought: How does training ourselves to be godly change our lives?
One way it changes our lives is that we end up living for the Lord rather than ourselves. The commitments, priorities and goals of our lives are molded to align with His will over our own.
2 Corinthians 5: 15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Galatians 2: 20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you, Rich!
Beautifully said and so very true!
I agree with Rich: It changes our lives because we end up living for the Lord rather than ourselves.
I would add also that our lives change because we live in peace. We have peace with God through Christ, and we have peace in our hearts because Christ lives in us. Regardless of what is happening around us, focusing on the love of Christ within us, we live in peace.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Thank you, Chris!
Yes, I agree. The Peace of the Lord is a real thing. It is very different than any kind of peace the world has to offer.
How does training ourselves to be godly change our lives?
We are spiritual beings confined within physical bodies for a time predetermined by our creator God who has given each free will to make choices which will have eternal impact on our spirits. Do we now allow our flesh to be the controlling factor of out lives, or will we develop a healthy spirit as we live our lives according to Gods will for our lives over our own,
The Holy Spirit is integral to the process of training in godliness. Believers are encouraged to walk by the Spirit, allowing Him to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Choosing to live in obedience to Gods will over our own, will produce a healthy spirit, and a life of freedom from the standards of this world as we open ourselves to the leading of His Holy Spirit and experience transformation into eternal children of God now. This phase of our lives will begin on earth and be completed the moment we meet face to face with Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 10:24-25, 12:11
Thank you, Ron!
Yes — we want a ‘healthy spirit!’
Well said! 🙂