Train Yourself for a Holy Life
By Whitney Hopler
“Train yourself for a holy life! While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8, CEB
During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, we are captivated by the dedication and achievements of athletes from around the world. These champions have spent countless hours building their skills in 32 different sports. Their dedication to physical training is evident in their strength, agility, and endurance. Each competition showcases the extraordinary capabilities of the human body when trained to its peak performance. Olympic athletes show us the pinnacle of what people can achieve from physical training. Consider the graceful precision of a gymnast on a balance beam, the explosive speed of a sprint runner, the creative choreography of a breaker, or the power of a swimmer cutting through the water. These athletes have committed their lives to rigorous training regimens, strict schedules, and relentless practice. They sacrifice comfort and leisure to achieve excellence, driven by the desire to compete at the highest level and perhaps win the gold medal of their dreams.
Yet, as awe-inspiring as their physical accomplishments are, the Bible tells us that there’s something far more important. Even though physical training has some value, training in holy living holds even greater value.
Just as athletes train rigorously to compete at the highest levels, we are called to train ourselves in holiness. Spiritual training promises benefits not only for our current lives, but far beyond, for eternity! That’s because our bodies are only temporary but our souls live forever. The effort we put into growing more holy will bring us rewards that never end. It’s more than worthwhile to train for a holy life. However, we need to be committed to doing so. Spiritual training requires dedication, practice, and perseverance, just like physical training does. The inspiration we draw from watching Olympic athletes can fuel our desire to excel in our own lives. While we may not ever compete in the Olympic Games, we should prepare for something even greater – lives in heaven with our holy God. Here are some ways we can train ourselves for living holy lives:
Regular prayer and meditation: Just as athletes follow a strict training schedule, we should build prayer and meditation habits we enjoy, which will motivate us to stick to those habits every day. We can set aside specific times each day for prayer (talking with God) and meditation (listening to God), making these spiritual disciplines a non-negotiable part of our routine. One of the ways we can listen to God is by meditating on God’s Word, the Bible. When we internalize Bible verses, God will use those verses to guide our thoughts and actions so we can make the best decisions day by day.
Community friendships: Engaging with a community of believers gives us encouragement, accountability, and support that can help us grow spiritually. Just as athletes train with coaches and teammates, we can benefit from the guidance and companionship of our fellow Christians. We can build friendships with others in our church by attending worship services regularly, participating in a small group, and seeking out mentors who can help us grow.
Self-discipline: Like athletes who resist unhealthy habits, we must exercise self-control to avoid sin and pursue righteousness. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us develop more self-control, so we can turn away from temptations that will lead us farther away from God and instead pursue activities that help us grow closer to God.
So, as we watch the dedication and discipline of Olympic athletes in action, let’s get inspired to excel in our walks with God! Imagine the spiritual endurance we can build, the strength of character we can develop, and the close relationships with God we can achieve when we commit to training ourselves in holiness. Just as Olympians keep their eyes on the prize, we should focus on the eternal reward that awaits us. The discipline and perseverance we cultivate in our spiritual lives will not only enrich our earthly lives now, but also prepare us for an eternity in heaven with God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how important it is to train well to live a holy life, reflect on these questions:
- How does the discipline of Olympic athletes inspire you to be more disciplined in your spiritual life?
- In what ways can you incorporate daily spiritual training into your routine?
- What obstacles do you face in training for a holy life, and how can you overcome them?
- Who in your life can support and encourage you in your spiritual training?
- What specific steps can you take this week to grow in holiness?
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Philippians 3:14
Hebrews 12:1
2 Timothy 2:5
James 1:12
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/B-C-Designs
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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