This week Bro. Leo continues our study of the Holy Spirit and His role in our daily lives. Today we study about how the Bible says to grow spiritually mature in order to obtain all the spiritual victories in our daily lives.

In 1Tim.4:7 the word “exercise” is translated from the Greek word “gumnazō” which means a discipline, structure or regimen of training that accomplished endurance and resistance. Paul is telling us that it takes spiritual exercise to become spiritually mature enough to have the spiritual victories in our daily lives that God wants us to have. Another point Paul is making here is that individually we must spiritually exercise, nobody else can do it for us (“exercise thyself”). Paul tells us that spiritual maturity is how we accomplish acting “unto godliness”. The word “godliness” is translated from the Greek word “eusebeia” which means overall spritual godliness that is reflected in our daily lives.

In Phil.3:12-14 and 1Tim.6:11-12 Paul explains that spiritual maturity is not accomplished at the point of salvation, it must be pursued diligently by each individual Christian. Attending Church every Sunday and reading the Bible everyday is the means to the end, not the end. Church attendance, studying the Bible and prayer time is the exercises needed to mature us spiritually, they are not the maturity. In 1Cor.9:24-25 the word “obtain” is translated from the Greek word “katalambanō” which means to secure, posses with the attitude of eagerness or desire.

A Christians’ joyfulness and daily victories are solely dependent upon our consistent spiritual exercise and diet (John 15:11, John 16:24, 1Cor.9:24-26, Rom.8:37). The joyfulness and victories all come from God (Psa.18:29, 37).

Scriptures used in today’s study:

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Psa 18:29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
Psa 18:37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.