Just as physical exercise is necessary for a healthy body, spiritual exercise is necessary for a healthy spirit. Paul encourages the church at Philippi to ‘work out’ their salvation. He also mentions to engage in spiritual exercise with ‘fear and trembling’ This means to not relax in this exercise. It means to not grow lazy, but to keep on exercising. It is clear that Paul’s reference to ‘working out’ our salvation is a reference to sanctification and not salvation. Paul does not suggest that we are to work for our salvation. Rather, he gives instruction to put our faith into practice. To work it out just as we exercise our physical bodies. Paul gives this instruction to the church at Philippi due to his absence. Perhaps he feared that without being present to encourage and lead them, the church would become complacent and lazy in their spiritual exercises. Lenski writes, “There is always a tendency to relax obedience when the spiritual leader is absent.”[1] This has been proven time and time again in church’s without a pastor. In most cases, when a church is without a pastor attendance begins to drop, laziness in spiritual disciplines ensues, and division develops as everyone does ‘what is right in their own eyes.’
It is imperative that we encourage one another in the exercise of our faith. I know that when I go some time without physical activity, I begin to feel bad. When I don’t exercise and stay active, I find myself getting weak and feeling drained. I need physical exercise to keep my blood flowing. Life is in the blood. If I am not getting proper exercise then that blood, that life, is not flowing through my body as it should and it makes me weak. So, it is spiritually. You and I must exercise spiritually to keep life flowing through us. We cannot be effective for the Kingdom without such life and we cannot have such life without spiritual exercise. Just as with physical exercise, there are many different types of spiritual exercises you can do. Each exercise is vitally important to your overall health. Allow me to share with you seven spiritual disciplines or exercises that are necessary for our spiritual development.
Bible Study. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”[2] The Bible is the handbook for the Christian life. You cannot live as God intends for you to live without knowing His Word. Daily Bible study is essential to our spiritual growth. Our physical bodies need a regular balanced diet to sustain ourselves. Our spiritual life also needs a regular balanced diet of God’s Word to sustain ourselves spiritually. Simply going to church and hearing a sermon or attending Sunday School is not enough. You need daily spiritual food. You need to read and study the Bible every day. A well planned daily Bible reading plan is essential. Whatever Bible reading plan you use; you should always ask three basic questions: What does it say? What does it mean? What is God saying to me? It is also good to keep a spiritual journal and write down what you learn so you can track your progress. Daily Bible study is one spiritual exercise that you cannot live without.
Prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says to, “Pray constantly.” [3] We are to be in a continual attitude of prayer. Prayer is one of those exercises that should be second nature. It should be a regular and constant part of our life. Dwayne Moore wrote one of the best studies on prayer entitled, “He, We, They.” The study is based on the Lord’s prayer. “He” is focusing on God and who He is and what He has done for us. “We” focuses on ourselves and praying for the Lord’s will to be done in our lives and for our daily provision and protection. “They” is our prayer for others and our relationships. However you structure your prayer life, the main thing is that you simply pray. Prayer is one spiritual exercise you cannot live without. Prayer moves the hand of God. Prayer parts the waters making your path clear. Prayer moves the mountains and obstacles in your life. Prayer softens hard hearts. Prayer changes your attitude. Prayer calms your spirit. Prayer gives you wisdom. Prayer brings healing. Prayer brings peace. Prayer brings joy. When you are awake, Pray! When you lay your head on your pillow, Pray! When you are troubled, Pray! When everything is going good, Pray! When everything is falling apart, Pray! When there are decisions to make and you don’t know what to do, Pray! When you are tempted with sin, Pray! Prayer changes everything. Prayer breathes life into your weary soul. You cannot survive, you cannot live without prayer.
Meditation. Psalm 46:10 says, Be still, and know that I am God…”[4] Meditation is a lost art amongst Christians. It is something that we rarely practice. Yet, it is Biblical and it is one spiritual exercise that we must achieve. Meditation is not some new age mystical behavior. Meditation is simply quieting our hearts and minds before the Lord. It is putting aside all the cares of the day and focusing on God. Meditation is difficult for us today because it involves setting aside the cell phone and going to a secluded place with no distractions and just sit and listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. It would be extremely beneficial to our spiritual growth and to our daily life if we were to take just an hour or two every week to go to a special secluded place with no distractions and just sit and be still and listen. You may find that such moments of meditation are the best stress reliever you could ever experience.
Memorization. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”[5] Scripture memorization is a spiritual exercise that we often struggle with especially as we get older. This is why scripture memorization should be included in a comprehensive children’s discipleship program. The more of God’s Word you have in your heart and mind, the more power you have to resist temptation and the things of this world. You see, the Holy Spirit will only remind you of what you have in you. If you do not have a lot of God’s Word in your mind, then the Holy Spirit does not have a lot to work with to help you overcome the attacks of Satan. Scripture memorization should be a regular part of our spiritual exercise routine.
Worship. You have probably been wondering when this would come up. It is obvious that worship would be part of a balanced spiritual exercise routine. Psalm 96:9 says, “Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”[6] Worship is a lifestyle of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is acknowledging Him for who He is. It is putting God first in our lives. One of the most joyful spiritual exercises is the expression of worship. Singing songs of praise to our King should fill our day. The Christian should be so enamored with who God is and what He has done that his or her heart overflows with joyful praise day and night. Are you in the habit of expressing worship to God? Do you listen to worship music in your car? Do you praise Him every moment of every day? Are you living a life of worship?
Church Attendance. The spiritual exercise of church attendance is a no brainer. You cannot grow spiritually on your own. You need the fellowship with other believers that going to church provides. Church attendance should be taken lightly. The church should be the center of our community. Everything we do should revolve around our involvement in the church. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”[7] This is not just a suggestion, it is a command. Here is the thing: if you are physically able and you purposefully choose not to attend church, you are living in sin. There is no other way to look at it. Being actively involved in a community of believers is essential to your spiritual development. We need each other. Just as in physical exercise you need a spotter, so in the Christian walk you need a spotter. You need a church that has your back and is there to love you and to walk with you in your Christian journey.
Witnessing. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”[8] When does the Holy Spirit indwell you? The moment you accept Jesus as your Savior. It is at that moment that you have been given the power to be a witness for Jesus. Sharing the Gospel is a command. It is our marching orders given to us by King Jesus. The more we are obedient in the exercise of witnessing the stronger our faith becomes. The more we are obedient in the exercise of witnessing the better our attitude and behavior will be. Witnessing has a way of changing our perspective on life. It has a way of giving us a joy that flows into the lives of others.
Are you ready? Don’t be idle. Don’t get lazy. Get into the game and ‘work out your salvation.’
[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians and to the Philippians (pp. 796–797). Lutheran Book Concern.
[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Ti 2:15). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (1 Th 5:16–17). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] The New King James Version (Ps 46:10). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The New King James Version (Ps 119:11). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[6] The New King James Version (Ps 96:9). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[7] The New King James Version (Heb 10:24–25). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[8] The New King James Version (Ac 1:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 