Training

“Have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths … train yourself in godliness … training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 CSB

A survey conducted before World War I found that 95% of officers in the British army had never read a military book of any kind. As this suggested, many army leaders had little of the training they needed when they went into battle. They didn’t know what to expect or how to respond. They didn’t grasp strategy, planning, or troop motivation.

A post-war analysis described how this lack of training produced leaders who were “willfully intolerant of change and incapable, for the most part, of innovative thought or action.”

Training is central to being a soldier, but it’s also vital to the Christian life. To be equipped for spiritual warfare, to understand our enemies, and to be prepared, we must learn how to be victorious. Like the study of British leaders, the Bible urges us to be readers. Then we may know the Word and practice the insights we find there. We must seek God’s help to be prepared.

The Bible particularly urges us to be trained in godliness. This means having the right attitude toward God, not taking Him for granted, but being serious about applying the principles in His Word.

The Bible also warns us to be careful about what we allow into our minds. We can be distracted if we focus on things like “pointless and silly myths.” We need God’s discernment and His training.

Ask God to help you prepare for life’s challenges.

Reflection Question: What’s your plan to spend more time reading and meditating on the Bible?