Train Your Life in God’s Ways

 

Growing Beyond Spiritual Infancy

Spiritual dependence is necessary at first—like a baby relying on parents—but God calls us to mature. The Apostle Paul writes:

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways."
—1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews confronts stagnation sharply:

"You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food!"
—Hebrews 5:12 (NLT)

God’s desire is for us to "grow up in every way into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

---

Taking Responsibility for Your Spiritual Training

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes active pursuit of godliness—it’s not passive.

1. Train Your Mind
• "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
  —Romans 12:2 (ESV)
• "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
  —2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
2. Exercise Spiritual Discernment
• "Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
  —Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)
3. Discipline Yourself for Godliness
• "Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
  —1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
• "I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
  —1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

---

The Holy Spirit: Your Divine Coach

You’re not left to train alone. God’s Spirit empowers you:

• "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
  —John 14:26 (ESV)
• "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth."
  —John 16:13 (ESV)
• "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
  —Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

---

A Call to Action

Will you commit to daily training? Start with:

• 5 minutes in Scripture (Joshua 1:8)
• Prayerful reflection (Psalm 119:15)
• Accountability (Romans 14:12)

"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day."
—Proverbs 4:18 (ESV)

---

Question for Reflection:
"What ‘spiritual muscle’ do you need to strengthen this week? Identify one verse to meditate on and one action step (e.g., fasting from distractions, memorizing Scripture)."