HomeWord - April 28, 2006

Which Diet Are You On? 
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. — 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Dieting continues to be a hot topic in our country. In fact, the United States appears to be diet-crazy! Just consider a list of names of some of the different diet plans that are available today: Atkins, Zone, Grapefruit, Cabbage Soup, Hollywood, South Beach, Beverly Hills, Blood Type, Scarsdale, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Fit for Life, Thin for Life, Exchange Plan, Herbalife, Sugar Busters, E-diet, Slim Fast, Dexatrim, 3-Day, 7-Day, Pritikin, Russian Air Force, Richard Simmons, and on and on. It seems odd to me that even with all of the national focus on diets, obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions.  Regardless of the focus on diet and exercise, as a nation, we still struggle to stay fit.

How about spiritual fitness? The Bible points out that while a focus on the physical has some value, the fitness that really matters is spiritual in nature. Can you imagine what a difference it would make if Christ-followers in the United States reduced the amount of time and energy we place on physical diet and fitness by, let’s say, just ten percent – and placed that focus on spiritual fitness? I think we would be amazed at what the Body of Christ would accomplish if we placed more emphasis on the spiritual and less on the physical. And, of course, this is what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy in the Scripture highlighted above.

What does your spiritual diet look like? I have a challenge for each of us. Today, whenever we partake of food or fitness, let’s commit to also including a few moments for some spiritual exercise, be it reading a Scripture, meditating on Scripture, praying, or serving another in the name of Jesus. Let’s do our best to make spiritual fitness a priority. Truly, it is the only kind of exercise that will make a difference for eternity!

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GOING DEEPER:

1. What realistic steps can you take to help improve your spiritual fitness?
2. Commit these steps to God, in prayer, asking Him for the willingness, strength and courage to follow through.

FURTHER READING:
1 Timothy 6:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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