WHO'S READY FOR EXERCISE?
1 Timothy 4:6-11 NKJV
6 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. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 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. 11 These things command and teach.
The title of this devotional may be the anti-clickbait. But there are some great instructions and insight in our verses for today.
Paul charges Timothy to be a good servant of Jesus Christ and to nourish himself and the people that he is leading. The spiritual nourishment Paul is referring to are words that produce faith and words of sound teaching. Words of faith and sound teaching have the ability to feed and strengthen our spirits, our inner man. God's Word is food to our spiritual life, but without it, we'll be malnourished.
Then, we see Paul challenge Timothy to reject profane and old wives' fables and instead exercise himself toward godliness. Profane things are things that are godless and worldly. Another definition says not holy because of being unconsecrated, impure, or defiled. And old wives' fables could be labeled silly fabricated tales. In looking at these two things that we are to reject, it's not hard to make the leap to that fact that much of what we see available through mainstream media and social media qualifies as profane and fables. To turn away from these easy-to-consume sources of input and exercise ourselves toward godliness is not a simple task. But then, what exercise is super easy? These profane and silly nothings clamor for our attention today, and to turn away from them requires effort and intentionality.
But, just as bodily exercise is profitable for this time here on earth. Godliness, living for God, is going to work out well for us in two worlds. The current world we are living in and the eternal one to come. Exercising ourselves to live for God is not the easiest path, but it's the best path.
Paul then doubles down on his charge to Timothy. He boldly states that what he has shared is faithful. In other words, this is a tried and true statement and worthy for all people to accept completely. Paul, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is not leaving any room to bow out of this godliness.
Godliness, living for God, is why Paul and Timothy were working hard and were the target of criticism. They were living godly lives, and they put their trust in the living God. This living God is the only Savior of mankind, and His salvation is available to anyone who will believe.
And Paul ends this godly living theme with another charge to Timothy to command and teach these things.
APPLICATION
Stay nourished in words that ignite faith in your heart. Reject the godless, worldly things that defile you. Give effort to training yourself to live for God. The effort and discipline will pay off in this life and the life to come. Put your trust in the living God regardless of what other people say. Our God is our Savior and the answer for all mankind.
PRAYER
Lord, help me learn to reject things that are harmful or a waste of my time. Help me understand in a greater way what it looks like to exercise myself toward godliness.