1 Timothy 4:7–8 | 1 Corinthians 9:25 | 2 Timothy 3:16–17 | Hebrews 12:11
Former Navy SEAL commander Richard Marcinko is often credited with the saying, “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.”
Think about that for a moment.
Military personnel don’t wait until they’re on the battlefield to learn how to fight. Athletes don’t wait until game day to begin conditioning their bodies. They spend countless hours training, preparing, and developing the discipline necessary to perform when it matters most.
My son has basketball skill development every Tuesday. And I constantly remind him that he can’t just practice those skills on Tuesdays. If he wants to improve, he has to work on them throughout the week.
Why?
Because preparation matters.
And as believers, we should approach our spiritual lives with that same level of intentionality.
In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul instructs Timothy to train himself for godliness.
Notice that word: train.
The Greek word Paul uses is gymnazō, the root of our word “gymnasium.” Paul isn’t describing a casual suggestion. He’s describing a workout.
And in the very next verse, he makes a comparison: physical training has some value, but godliness has value for all things, both in this life and in the life to come.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul uses the example of athletes who exercise self-control in their training to receive a temporary crown. Yet as followers of Christ, we’re pursuing something eternal.
If athletes are willing to discipline themselves for a prize that will eventually fade, how much more intentional should we be about our walk with Christ?
Training requires effort, consistency, and discipline. It isn’t always comfortable, and it certainly isn’t always convenient.
Let’s be honest. Some days, we’d rather do just about anything other than exercise.
Whenever I commit to working out, the hardest part is getting started. And I’m not just talking about the first day. Every single day, I have to give myself a pep talk just to get going. Once I start, I’m fine, but getting started is a S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E!
And if we’re not careful, we can approach our spiritual lives the same way.
We’ll pray when we have time. Read our Bibles when it’s convenient. Spend time with God when everything else on our schedule has been completed.
But what happens when life gets difficult?
What happens when our faith is tested, temptation comes knocking, or we’re faced with a decision that challenges our obedience to God?
We S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E!
That’s when our spiritual training matters.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that we may be equipped for every good work.
God has given us His Word to prepare and equip us. But we have to be willing to spend time in it, receive its correction, and apply what we’ve learned.
And sometimes, that correction doesn’t feel good.
Hebrews 12:11 acknowledges that discipline is painful rather than pleasant at the time, but afterward, it produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it. And yes, “trained” is that same Greek word from 1 Timothy 4:7.
In other words, growth isn’t always comfortable.
Now, does spiritual training mean we’ll never struggle, stumble, or experience difficulties?
Absolutely not.
Our confidence isn’t in how disciplined we are. It’s in the Lord who strengthens us.
But there’s a difference between walking into a battle prepared and walking into one after neglecting the very things God has given us to strengthen our faith.
We can’t expect spiritual maturity without spiritual discipline.
And we certainly can’t expect Sunday’s sermon to sustain an entire week of neglecting our relationship with God. Just like my son can’t rely on Tuesdays alone.
So, how are you training?
Are you spending time in God’s Word?
Are you praying?
Are you allowing Scripture to correct you, challenge you, and transform how you live?
Because spiritual training isn’t just about what we know. It’s about how we live.
Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a battle to recognize the importance of spiritual discipline.
Train in godliness. Remain in His Word. And remember, it’s not about training to earn God’s love.
It’s about growing in obedience to the One who already loves you.