CHAPTER 4
 

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SOUL

          Hungry for a little Daily Bread Crumb? Let’s find out just exactly what the definition of the word conscience is, because you may notice that this word is used quite frequently in the New Testament. Conscience is the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good. Now, to have your conscience seared with a hot iron, would have to be one of the worst things a Christian could imagine.  Your sense of right and wrong would be destroyed ... you would have no conscience, no morals.

           This passage reminds me of what Paul wrote in Hebrews:

          Now, don't forget, this letter is written to Timothy, who is the minister of a church, so Paul is warning him about things to watch out for. One of the thing, Paul says is that in the last days, those who have fallen from the faith will forbid to marry, indicating that the clergy or the leaders would be the ones doing the forbidding. Just one note, we know that the Romans practice this false doctrine to this day requiring them to take a vow of celibacy and forbidding their clergymen and women to marry.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SOUL LESSON WITH HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SOUL EXPLANATION

          Let’s see now, what else does Paul say will happen. Don’t forget that he said the Holy Spirit had spoken these things specifically. He said that they will command to abstain from meats (foods) which God created to be received with thanksgiving of those who believe and know the TRUTH. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving because it is made holy by the Word of God and prayer. Paul also talks about this in Romans 14:14, 20 and 1 Corinthians 10:25. You’ll also find that if you look back into the Book of Acts, Chapter 10, Peter had a vision concerning this, which was an analogy of God’s acceptance of the Gentiles as His people too. God was showing Peter that any man that God has cleansed, is not unclean, but holy. This is also another perfect example of how God’s Word, many times, relates to more than one circumstance.

          Paul writes, If you remind the brethren of these things, you’ll be a good minister of Jesus Christ, educated in the words of faith and of good doctrine, that you have carefully followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ tales and exercise (train) yourself instead to be godly. Bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable in all things, having promise of the life that is now, and is also to come (eternal).

          Yes, you did read that correctly, but did you get the entire meaning of it? Bodily exercise is of little value, but godliness is valuable in every way, both in this life and life everlasting. How many people exercise for God? How many people exercise for self, for what others think, or for what they want others to think? Yes, you’re correct, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and you should take care of it, but what does that mean? It means keep it holy, clean, healthy, pure, protected. It doesn’t mean that it should be made into what is acceptable to mankind. If you exercise because it’s necessary for maintaining good health, so that you can effectively perform godly deeds, that’s one thing. But anything in excess of that is not being done for God. You can apply the same rules to eating, or drinking, or anything else that can be done to excess.

          Paul says, This is the truth and worthy of believing. For that reason (the promise of eternal life), we work and suffer shame, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, namely those who believe. Command these things and teach. Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth, but be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (conduct), in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SOUL INFORMATION WITH HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SOUL MEANING

          This is an interesting point that Paul makes. If you belong to a church that has a young pastor, or if you know or meet a young person who is apparently gifted in teaching the doctrine of Christ, do you ever look down over the reading glasses that are teetering on the tip of your nose at them and think, That young whipper-snapper can’t know what he’s talking about. Or how about this, does your pride disallow you to learn from someone younger than you? I have a few examples for you to ponder on.

• Jesus the Christ was about 30 years old when He began his ministry (Luke 3:23).

• The prophet Jeremiah was just a child when the Lord called him to speak to the nations (Jeremiah 1:7).

• Joash was only 7 years old when he became king of Judah and reigned for 40 years (2 Chronicles 24:1).

• Don’t forget Isaiah 11:6, and a little child shall lead them.

          Now, don’t get me wrong. The elders, the sages, the elderly, the mature, the aged, seniors, older people, people in their golden years ... They all deserve our respect, but they are by no means, the only people that God has appointed to do His bidding.

          You can see now, why Paul found it necessary to forewarn Timothy about such things. He continues, Until I visit, give attention to reading, to preaching, to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hand of the presbytery (elders). Meditate (contemplate, think) on these things, dedicate yourself fully to them so that your value is clear to everyone. Take care of yourself and the doctrine, believe in them, because in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

          Once again, Paul has given us many good lessons to apply to our lives and to pass on to others. Just a reminder before we close, your body returns to dust (Genesis 3:19) when the time comes. God doesn’t care what you look like (1 Samuel 16:7). Wouldn’t you rather put your energy into getting your soul in shape? If your goal is to impress God and not mankind, it’s time to get a new program. Your heart and soul are the things that need training. Why not ask Jesus to be your personal trainer?