Train Yourself

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 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.

The biggest oversight in the Christian life - "Training oneself in godliness".  

We want Pastors to help us.  We look to counselors to help us.  We ask for others to pray for us, speak to us, lead us, feed us, give us some advice.  The scriptures tell us to train ourselves.  

Of course our self-training is not based on our intuition or self-worth or self-appointed philosophies of life.  We do not rely on our hearts or intuition.  Jesus made it clear what our heart is full of: Mark 7:21–23 (ESV) out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

No.  We go to the revelation of God in the scriptures for self-training.
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV) solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Here the writer of Hebrews speaks of those who have learned how, through the Word of God what is good and what is evil for their lives.  Saying before this verse: Hebrews 5:13 (ESV) everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

You must seek to develop skill in the Word of God.  It is not just a book.  It is revelation of the Lord and His person.  We cannot see the face of God.  We could not stand before His presence.  John the Apostle fell at Jesus' feet as though dead, Isaiah despised himself before the Lord in the Temple.  We cannot see God for our own safety's sake.  We can HEAR God.

God gave you eye lids, not ear lids.  You aren't supposed to be able to close your ears easily.  Why?  So that we might always have ability to hear.  Faith comes by hearing.  We hear the Word of the Lord and we are changed into every increasing levels of glory.  

I find hearing from God in quiet time is an acquired experience.  You get better at hearing the voice of the Lord the more you search out His Word.  I can spot my wife's voice in a crowd.  I can hear the distinct cry of my son from rooms away.  Why?  I have known their voice from close and regular interaction.  May that be our experience with the voice of God.

NOtice the end of 1 Timothy 4:8: "godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Training in God's Word and God's way - helps you live in this life and the life to come.  You never waste a moment in the Word of God.  It never returns void.  God's Word is living and active.  God's Word is light and truth and joy!  May you love it as you should and grow in it for your sake!

PRAYER:
Father, I want to hear you.  More.  Clearer.  I want to know you more.  I want to come closer to you.  Keep your servant from worthless words and silly myths.  Keep me grounded, rooted in the Word of Christ.  Amen.

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