Spiritual Fitness – Part 2

Let’s recap for recall:

Training Begins – Heb. 5:13-14 –

• We grow from immaturity to maturity with this step – having our senses trained to discern between good and evil; what is beneficial and what is harmful to our being both physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

o This develops our sense of right and wrong; of identity between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the world which is under the influence of the evil (harmful) one.

o I Pet. 2:13-17 I – tells us to submit to those who rule over us – those in civil authority as well as spiritual authority – to honor all people via love of God, fearing the Lord.

o I Pet 1:13 – Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 FIELD (acronym) Fast-Intercession-Empowered-Listen-Direction – getting alone with God for His counsel can include any or all of these.

 What are you filling your mind with? (worries; difficulties; endless entertainment; imaginations; judgements; criticism; gossip; excuses; condemnation….)

Skill Development Needed

II Tim. 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

• We develop skills through the practice of repetition – This works to memorize what must be done and then bringing it to perfection through the repetition of doing.

• Mt. 5:39-48 – (READ) – eye for eye, tooth for tooth, but I say resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you, turn to him the other cheek also…

1. Kingdom behavior vs Natural behavior – we live out of God’s love and mercy, not judgment and retaliation.

• Resist evil by doing good – we need instruction in what is good.

o Children are trained by parents how to interact with siblings & friends in all situations either rightly or wrongly – Golden Rule of God or rule of the get-back world.

• Being willing to suffer (not continuously, but in the moment without malice)

• Go the extra mile – give generously of your time and resources.

• Love your enemies by blessing (speaking well of) them and doing good to them (with an attitude of excellence towards them by honoring them)

• Pray for the ones who are spitefully using (insulting or slandering) or persecuting you (causing fear that makes you want to ‘fight, flee, or freeze’)

2. Grow in Who God has called to be in the way He has designed you to function.

Ro. 12:4-8 – For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them; if prophesy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches, in teaching, he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

• Starts in seed-form, grows through use.

o Develops in the natural arena of life as well as the spiritual settings.

o Identify your gifts.

o Give yourself to that gift’s development with diligence/excellence (I Cor. 12:1 – desire spiritual gifts – love is the most important and the foundational gift!! Develop it and the others will build on it properly.)

• Lk. 3:10-14 – the people asked, What shall we do? Answer: He who has two tunics, give to him who has none; he who has food, let him do likewise. To the tax collectors: collect no more than what is appointed for you. To the soldiers: Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely and be content with your wages.

• Every situation in life – home life, work life, friendships, extended relationships no matter how close or distant or briefly – needs God’s wisdom to navigate!

This is the lifestyle of the believer who is growing to maturity.