Don’t be a spiritual couch potato

In the ancient Olympian and Isthmian games, an athlete began to get in shape 10 months before the race. A long distance runner would submit to rigorous discipline. He would undergo disciplined eating and submit to rigorous discipline. He would undergo disciplined eating and sleeping habits, an exercise program and his daily routine. His goal was clear — to hone his body into the best possible shape to run.

Then, one month before the games, the athlete would move to Corinth, 10 miles from where the Isthmian Games were held. There he would submit to the training under the watchful eyes of a personal coach. This training meant rising early and long days spent in lifting weights, rigorous exercise and pushing himself to the limits. All of this was to prepare for the games and to run the famous marathon.

The Bible says much about the importance of proper nourishment for the Christian life. We are to be “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6). As a proper, balanced diet is critical to a marathon runner, so it is to the Christian.

Irregular eating habits will kill a runner’s energy level. Skipping meals will leave him drained and fatigued. The same will happen with our spiritual stamina if we do not maintain consistent, regular feeding on God’s word.

The Apostle Peter said, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). God’s word, like nutritious milk, contains what is needed to produce spiritual growth and maintain our health. Crave it. Long for it.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God’s word, like bread, is the basic staple of a Christian’s diet. It is our daily bread. Devour it.

David testified, “How sweet are your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). God’s word, like honey, is sweet, satisfying and provides lasting energy. Savor it.

The Bible remains the “breakfast of champions.” We must eat at God’s training table and be nourished by his word. Daily. May I suggest five strategic steps for consistent spiritual nourishment in the Scriptures?

Master God’s word. We must read and study God’s word to strategically grasp its truth. Paul said, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

This requires having a game plan to read the Bible. The “flip’n dip” method of randomly opening the Bible and reading a passage here and there will never work. Instead, read through an entire book of the Bible rather than in pieces here and there. Or perhaps read a few chapters of an Old Testament book and then chapters of a New Testament book.

Magnify God’s word. Always recognize its authority. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. Give it a place of preeminence in your life. Follow its examples. Apply its principles. Follow the advice given to the believers at Colosse, “Let the word of Christ dwell within you” (Colossians 3:16). Make the Scriptures the absolute authority in your life.

Memorize the word. Regularly deposit God’s word into your heart by memorizing it. The psalmist testified, “Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). To treasure his word means to hide it, like a valuable buried treasure, in your heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ memorized much of God’s word. But even more importantly, he used it. Three times he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Each time he resisted by quoting God’s word. “It is written…. It is written…. It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).

Meditate on God’s Word. Meditating suggests digesting the meal you have eaten. The word meditate pictures a cow chewing its cud throughout the day. We, too, must chew on God’s word over and over until we understand it better, appreciate it more fully and grasp its meaning for our lives. The psalmist declared, “Your servant meditates on your statutes…. Make me understand the way of your precepts, so I will meditate on your wonders” (Psalm 119:23, 27).

Minister God’s word. God has committed to all believers the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). As ministers of reconciliation, we must use the Bible to minister to others. When we counsel, we must use the wisdom of the Scriptures. When we encourage others, it is the comfort of God’s word that we share. Jesus died for our sins. He died as our substitute upon the cross. His blood washes away our sins. We must share this great, life-saving message.

Our lives will either be like a stagnant swamp or a mighty river. A stagnant swamp has an inflow but no outflow. The swamp pictures a Christian life with much inflow of God’s word but with no outflow into the lives of others. The word just sits there self-contained. It is lifeless and stinking. Conversely, a mighty river is characterized by constant movement and flow. The water is not stagnant but always moving. This pictures a believer’s life where the Scriptures are constantly flowing in and through a willing heart, touching and impacting others. This healthy dynamic is the final stage of a truly spiritual diet.

Just as carbohydrates provide fuel for the body, so the word of God provides high energy food for the Christian. Avoid spiritual fatigue through nourishment from the living and abiding word. Master God’s word. Magnify God’s word. Memorize the word. Meditate on the word. Minister God’s word.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.net.