ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY FIT?

Research projects show that our country has a problem with poor physical fitness levels. The solution to the problem, according to the researchers, is for all out-of-shape people to diet for six months and exercise to become more fit. Publicized diets, exercise routines, and machines, according to the report, have failed to motivate people to change their lifestyles. Our society places great emphasis on getting into shape. While many of us continue to try things to get physically fit, we also need to evaluate our spiritual fitness. 

   Hebrews 12:1 identifies a different kind of excess weight.  “Wherefore seeing we also with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, and let run with patience the race that is set before us.”  

    Scholars are pretty well agreed that “the besetting sin” is the sin of unbelief that prevented many first-century Jews from trusting the Lord Jesus as Savior.    

    Unbelief made Jews cling to the Old Testament sacrificial tabernacle ministry, becoming weights that caused them to miss gospel truths.  We must lay aside besetting sins that weigh heavily upon us. 

     Surely, much more could be accomplished in each of our lives, our families, and our church if our doubts were replaced with strong confidence in God. 

     Doubt causes defeat in our lives.  It causes us to keep tithes and offerings from the Lord that rightfully belong to Him.  Doubt robs us of the blessings of obedience to God in surrender and service. 

      Doubt promotes absence in the services of the local church. It impedes the ministry of worldwide missions.  It seizes us with weakness when we should be bold to witness about the great, saving power of our Lord.  Doubt breeds in us a lack of trust that God will keep His Word to us, but we can be certain of His promises. 

  Put off the excess weight of doubt.  Lay hold of the promises of God with strong, unwavering faith (Acts 27:25; Rom. 4:20). 

The weight of discouragement

    Someone has said, “Discouragement is the greatest tool of Satan against us.”  Discouragement is a robber of joy of heart and peace of mind.  Discouragement, like an undaunted giant, causes our spirits to sink low in the valley of defeat and can strip our lives of enthusiasm.  Cast aside this heavyweight.  Follow the Master—no matter the loss. 

The weight of trying to be like the world:

     The world will always slow down our progress in spiritual matters.  We are commanded to separate ourselves from the world, for all that is in the world is doomed and destined to pass away (I John 2:15—17).  Don’t ever be deceived by the world’s gold and glitter.  God’s curse is upon it.  Remember, the world’s opinions and philosophies will always blur our vision so we will not have the right perspective in the worship and honor of God. 

    Determined not to be like the world. God has called us to be Transformists—not Trendists.

  The weight of serving the Lord in the flesh:

 “The arm of flesh will fail us,” God commands us to make no provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:14).  Service acceptable to God 

must be performed in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we are to live a life of victory, we must put off the weight of dependence upon the flesh.  We must trust the Lord to work in us and through us to achieve His good, acceptable, and perfect will (Rom. 12:2). 

The weight of prayerlessness:

     Our defeats are many times are traceable to our failure to pray.  Someone said, “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.” 

     God ordained prayer to nourish our souls with His power.  He will hear us when we pray (I John 5:14, 15). Prayer

(1) strengthens us(2) promotes faith and trust in God(3) will supply all our need (Phil. 4:19)

   Prayer enables us to rely upon the ever-present protection of God for deliverance from the bondage of fear (Ps. 125:1-2; Isa. 41:10). God delights to give us His good gifts as we walk in obedience to Him (Ps. 84:11).  Put off now and forever the weight of prayerlessness. 

Are any of these weights in your life? Lay them aside and begin to run the race for God in His way.