Working Out

I Timothy 4:7-11

I will probably get unfollowed for this, but I am not running for pizza. Sorry, I am not a big fan. I will eat it, but not if it requires effort. Now, you hang a peanut butter sandwich and a cup of coffee up there and we might work on a 5K LOL. Exercise, as much as I hate to admit it, is good for us. However, as we will see, the Apostle Paul says that physical exercise is not the most important exercise we need to engage in. This body will break down. No matter how well we take care of it, it is going to slow down and one day stop. On the other hand, there are things we engage in that are eternal. They need to take priority in our pursuits.

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“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.”

I Timothy 4:7-11

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Have you ever heard some of the old home remedies that you know do not work? Some of them are so ridiculous that they could actually cause you harm. One example is the common myth about jellyfish stings. Urine has toxins in it and should never be put on an open wound. There is a reason the body is expelling it. However, there is no telling how many thousands of people have followed this "old wives fable". Paul contrasts this with exercise "toward godliness". He is telling us that our Christian walk requires effort and attention. We do not simply grow spiritual muscles. There has to be an intentionality about building them. Paul told the Philippian believers "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Notice that it says work out, not work for. We are to build our faith and become more like Jesus (sanctification) as we grow and mature.

In verse 8, Paul is not telling us that we should not exercise. Rather, in comparison to our spiritual workout, physical exercise is of much less value. We should take care of our body so that we are able to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). It is hard to go, if our body cannot physically go. What Paul meant is that we should not spend 6 hours a day working out, and only read a 10-minute devotional a couple of times a month. We need to establish clear priorities, with spiritual growth being at the top.

The reason for all of this is because troubles and trials will come to the Christian life. It is possible that our physical bodies will be broken or restrained, but we can still stand strong and tall spiritually. That will only happen if our faith has been strengthened through study and prayer. Paul tells Timothy to not only preach this (command), but to teach (demonstrate) it to the believers in Ephesus. We need to do the same today. Father, there is so much emphasis placed on our physical bodies, and so little placed on our faith muscles. We worry about how we look, but not about how we stand in faith. Help us all to place a greater value on this. We know that troubles and trials will come. Help us to grow so that we can stand strong in our faith in You.