In the Living Bible version of 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul says to his son in the faith Timothy, "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.”

Athletics or sports have always been an important aspect of ancient and modern-day society. So Paul says to Timothy in the 8th verse, 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. This further means that as we practice being better Christians, we train to respond spiritually and not react emotionally.

Naturally, many of us act out of our emotions without the benefit of the mind of Christ. In so doing, due to our emotions, we react naturally, rather than respond spiritually by exercising the mind of Christ.

The word exercise is the Greek word, "gym-na-zō," which means to train the body or the mind. Gym-na-zo is where we get our English word gymnastics; or, bodily exercise. Bodily exercise, Paul says, is all right, profits a little, but what Paul is teaching here is that we need to learn how to exercise ourselves, to respond to life’s matters spiritually rather than react naturally or emotionally.

Invite a family member or friend to listen to today's podcast, "Pressing Towards Spiritual Maturity," as we continue to learn to THINK LIKE GOD THINKS.

Dr. Gregory L. Cruell

God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)