Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit.” 1 Timothy 4:7 (TLB)
If I want God to use me, then practice the habits that strengthen my faith.
The Bible says in the Living Bible paraphrase, “Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit” (1 Timothy 4:7).
I wonder how many people wake up thinking, “I get to exercise today!” I certainly don’t. But I do know that we all need both physical and spiritual exercise. I also know this about exercise: I want the most benefit I can get out of every minute I exercise, whether it’s physical or spiritual.
To get the most out of my spiritual exercise, I need to learn to practice these four spiritual habits that will strengthen my faith.
Study the Bible. I need to study the Bible for myself. I can’t depend on someone else’s study of God’s Word. I need to spend time in it on my own.
The Bible says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT).
God’s Word is the “get ready” manual for life. If I want to get ready for God to use me, I’ve got to study the Bible.
Read books that help me grow spiritually. Proverbs 19:8 says, “Do yourself a favor and learn all you can” (GNT). That means learning from God’s Word and from people who have faithfully followed him—books that inspire, challenge, and strengthen my faith.
Write out my testimony. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have” (NCV). Just like nobody else can study the Bible for me, nobody else can tell my story. There are four parts to a testimony: what my life was like before I came to Christ, how I realized I needed Christ in my life, how I committed my life to Christ, and what my life is like now.
Join a small group. “Encourage each other and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT). When it comes to strengthening my faith, few things compare to regular contact with a small group of believers I know and trust. If I'm not in a small group, find people I can share life with and who will support me as I grow in faith.
These four habits will help me stay spiritually fit so that I'm ready for God to use.
In Summary:
Spiritual maturity doesn't happen by accident; it requires the same intentional effort and consistency as physical training. Grounded in 1 Timothy 4:7, this text highlights that being ready for God to use me requires actively training my faith through four essential disciplines: personal Bible study, reading growth-focused Christian books, writing out your personal story of transformation, and engaging in a supportive small group. By anchoring life in these deliberate habits, I shift from passive belief to an active, resilient faith equipped for every good work.
Bottom Line:
Consistent spiritual disciplines are the foundation of a resilient faith, equipping me to step boldly into God's purpose for my life.
Next Step:
Commit to building immediate momentum by choosing one of the four habits to implement this week—for example, schedule 15 minutes each morning for personal Scripture reading or outline the four stages of your personal testimony—aligning my daily routine with my identity as a purpose-driven leader.
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