Spiritual
Aerobics
And Exercise
We know the value of physical
exercise.
But do we know the value of
spiritual exercise?
1 Timothy 4:6-8
• "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you
will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished
in the words of faith and of the good doctrine
which you have carefully followed. {7} But reject
profane and old wives' fables, and exercise
yourself toward godliness. {8} 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."
Introduction
• Anyone in this society can tell you that the
exercise industry is a multi-billion dollar
industry.
• Everywhere you go, you see all sorts of
exercise equipment.
• You also find all the necessary accessories to
help develop some part of the body or to
develop some skill in some sort of sport.
Introduction
• Shelves are lined with vitamins and herbs.
• Sometimes entire stores are dedicated to
exercise.
• Some businesses exist for the purpose of
helping people obtain healthy bodies.
• So much effort goes into the physical bodies of
so many people.
Introduction
• Seems like every new product is either low-fat,
low-calorie, low-sodium, or low-sugar.
• Our society treats those with good healthy bodies
in high esteem.
• Our society says that unless you have a good
healthy body, you are just repulsive.
• Physical exercise has become so important that it
affects all of us in some way, form, or fashion.
• It is a shame that they do not consider the spiritual
body as equally or even more important than their
physical bodies.
Exercise
• Exercise comes from a Greek word which means to
practice naked (in the games) or to train and prepare
oneself for the battle, or the games.
• 1128. gumnazo, goom-nad'-zo; from G1131; to practice
naked (in the games), i.e. train (fig.):--exercise.
• 1129. gumnasia, goom-nas-ee'-ah; from G1128;
training, i.e. (fig.) asceticism:--exercise.
• Notice that this word gives us gymnasium. Also conveys
the idea that exercise has an asceticism or inner beauty
associated with it.
• But as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
These words are used in:
• 2 Peter 2:14 (NKJV) "having eyes full of adultery and
that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls.
They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and
are accursed children."
• Hebrews 12:11 (NKJV) "Now no chastening seems to be
joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless,
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it."
• Hebrews 5:14 (NKJV) "But solid food belongs to those
who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use
have their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil."
Physical Exercise
• The practice and movement that keeps our
body fit and healthy.
• The discipline associated with such.
• Food, training, routine, etc.
Exercise
• The Bible teaches us that our culture has it
backwards.
• Emphasizing the physical instead of the
spiritual.
• The key thought is that even the physical has
its rewards for excellence and hard work.
• Dedication is necessary to be a winner.
• Desire, Diligence, Determination, Doing………
Exercise
• We must learn from the dedication and zeal
demonstrated by worldly people and apply the
same fervor and zeal in our efforts to please
God.
• God does not allow for laziness, or halfheartedness.
• Verse 8 teaches that there is nothing wrong
with physical exercise and says that it even
does some good, but not near as much as
exercising the spiritual.
Spiritual Exercise
• Spiritual exercise is vital for our growth and
development as Christians.
• Hebrews 5:13-14 (NKJV) "For everyone who
partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of
righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid
food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,
those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil."
• Now we must examine ourselves to see what kind
of spiritual exercise program we are involved with
and what we are engaged in.
Spiritual Exercise
• Are we giving ourselves the proper kind of
food?
• The proper amount of rest?
• The study of our opponent and tendencies of
his behavior?
• The correct physical and mental training and
discipline?
• Do we have a thorough knowledge of the
rules?
Spiritual Exercise
• We must get the proper food that will produce positive
results.
• 1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) "as newborn babes, desire the pure
milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,"
• We must work together as a team, and eliminate the
individual weaknesses.
• Hebrews 10:23-24 (NKJV) "Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope without wavering, for He who
promised is faithful. {24} And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works,"
Spiritual Exercise
• The worldly minded person will say that Bible
study is only for preachers. He says that it is too
hard to understand anyway. The worldly minded
person feels that if they are not too bad, then
they are okay.
• The spiritually minded person knows that self
discipline is necessary for salvation. They also
know that the Bible is to be understood. So they
apply themselves to the task at hand and learn
what God wants them to know and do.
Spiritual Exercise
• Ephesians 3:3-4 (NKJV) "how that by revelation He
made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly
written already, {4} by which, when you read, you may
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),"
• 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) "For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior, {4} who desires all men
to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth."
• We must exercise ourselves toward godliness.
• Colossians 3:2 (NKJV) "Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth."
Spiritual Exercise
• We must learn to apply a divine principle in
our spiritual lives.
• We cannot train or prepare for one thing and
be ready to do something else.
• Imagine a football lineman being put on the
ice rink in a competition. He cannot glide
across the ice with poise and beauty.
• A tennis player cannot safely play hockey. And
so on.
Spiritual Exercise
• Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) "Do not be deceived, God is
not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will
also reap."
• Example. Two boxer are challenged to a fight. One
trains real hard and the other watches football and
eats hot dogs and drinks beer. On fight day, which
one do you think will win the match?
• In the same way, two “Christians" say they are
going to heaven. One trains real hard and the other
fills his mind with worldly things such as watches
football and eats hot dogs and drinks root beer. On
judgment day, which one do you think will win the
crown?
Conclusion
• Physical exercise is good and highly
recommended.
• We all would be better off if we did such.
• How much more important is our spiritual
health.
• Are we trained and disciplined to live right so
that we may receive the crown of life?