IF YOU ARE OVERWEIGHT and out of shape, I am not taking any kind of physical training advice from you. You may know a lot, but it’s clear that you are not applying your own knowledge. If you’re a gym rat like me, you know the physical trainer’s job is to have an in-depth knowledge of the human body, exercise equipment and how the two go hand in hand. Usually you will hear them ask this phrase, “What are your exercise goals?”
A good trainer is so physically fit, you’re almost intimidated to seek help from them; but that’s their job. They’ve been trained thoroughly and now they want to train you. They know how to use the exercise equipment properly. Have you ever seen those videos of people doing crazy things with gym equipment? Who trained you bro? You are making a fool of yourself. Some trainers just want the money, but most I’ve met love training people and helping others to feel good about themselves. They care that you don’t hurt yourself using equipment improperly. Hello? Are you mopping up what I’m spilling?
“For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
If you read this whole chapter, Timothy has been trained by others (his mother and his grandmother- parents train your children) in the doctrine that is in accordance with godliness, and he’s continued to train himself from the knowledge he’s learned- he’s fit and prepared for battle. Now, he’s in a position to train, “Continue to command and teach these things”. What things?
Training in godliness. It begs the question: are you allowing yourself to be trained by someone who’s spiritually fit? My experience in teaching Bible study for 20 years now is that people come in when they are “going through something”. They stay for a time, but eventually end up leaving. The ladies that have changed the most have stuck with the training and now they have become teachers. Can you read the Bible on your own and learn and grow? Sure. However, most read the word and walk away forgetting what they look like. They do not train themselves properly neither do they train their children or anyone else.
There is a ministry gift of a teacher and our job is to teach and train. We study the Word and have a gift to explain the Word more thoroughly. Is it not part of the great commission to “teach them to obey”? There are many false teachers spreading false doctrine, especially on social media. Be very careful. Do not receive training from out of shape people,
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” I Timothy 6:3-5
“The doctrine which is according to godliness”, not the doctrine of the world and its ways, nor the doctrine of lascivious grace allowing you to continue in sin, nor the doctrine false love where you never rebuke anyone; the doctrine which is according to godliness. Then, when you are well trained in godliness and no longer a toddler who is tossed to and fro, for the grace that God gives teaches us to live steadfast, obedient and godly; you should be training others how to use the equipment.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
