Building Spiritual Muscle
Weight lifting is just one component to success in building muscle, strength and weight loss. What I've found is even when I've worked out an hour and a half to 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, I still didn't get the results I was desiring. Lately my lifting hasn't been as intense, but I'm seeing greater results due to making some diet changes. By increasing my protein consumption, I'm finding greater muscle gain. I know the results would be even greater if I'd knock out my morning donut. Lol!
We can get so frustrated in our spiritual growth. Perhaps your spending that daily time with God, yet you're not making the progress in your faith and relationship with Him you would have desired. There's a nutrition plan the Lord has designed specifically for your soul. The only way to truly grow in your knowledge of God, is through reading your Bible. You can hear messages from ministers and you definitely should be a member of a local church, but that's not enough. A diet of a once or twice a week meal isn't going to build the spiritual muscle you'll need to fight off the schemes of the enemy, draw closer to Jesus and produce the fruit that's necessary to live a productive Christian life. You must know God's Word and live accordingly.
That donut that I haven't given up yet... it's preventing me from increased results. I just haven't fully surrendered to the body building process, perhaps I have not yet decided that it's worth it.
Sin has the same effect on our spiritual maturity. If there's something you're holding on to that's stagnating your growth and keeping you from seeking God, it's time you make the decision to go all the way... fully surrendered... no obstacles or hindrances. Sure, we all make mistakes and none of us are perfect, but it's those intentional, repetitive sins that destroy lives and keep you from going to the next level. You need to decide if it's worth it to you. Increased time in God's Word and eliminating the junk food of sin will bring about your desired results.
As for my donut...
Matthew 4:4 (NLT) But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT) When I discovered your Words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Hebrews 5:12-14 (NKJV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
