Training our Perceptions in the Spiritual Gymnasium
Here is another illustration of a good working spiritual vacuum cleaner ready to make the earth on our carpet disappear, an illustration of a well weeded garden ready to bear fruit from the implanted Word of God.
Olympic-like training of our perceptions….
#193 Training Our Perceptions in the Spiritual Gymnasium of Challenge Hebrews 5.16
Hebrews 5:16 "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
The word training in the Greek is Strong’s #1128 "Gumnazo" (sort of like gymnazium!) and means "to practice naked in the games". The Lord is taking us to take to the mat!! This is obviously an Olympic metaphor!!
The Olympics has been inspiring. It is all about coordination of the mind and body and conditioning for a challenge that appears to be beyond the limits of human ability.
What is trained in our Spiritual Olympics is our "senses" #145 aistheterion: an organ of perception, ie. fig. judgment. Our perceptions are strengthened so that we can discern what thoughts and beliefs are good (#2570 kalos: beautiful, but chiefly good, ie valuable or virtuous) and which thoughts and beliefs are evil. We are trained in spiritual Olympic style, to recognize and approve what the mind of God and Christ would approve in matters of both doctrine and everyday lifestyle. Romans 12:2 We become strong to recognize and let go of what is not good for our spiritual health. We become strong to focus and act on what will bring spiritual vitality to ourselves and others.
What a beautiful picture of brain/body coordination that is developed in us as the body of Christ. By repeated practice through the power of the holy spirit we gain a connection with our Head, Christ Jesus, so that we are able to respond to his will and thinking. “…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16
In time and with repeated training, (the “PRACTICE” in Hebrews 5:16) our responses become more of a reflex.
"Be instant in season, out of season."
This repeated perception-training strengthens our spiritual muscles so that we can triumph in Christ as we face and embrace what appears to be beyond the limits of our ability.
Of coarse we have repeated experiences.
It isn’t failure, it’s just practice!
Olympic-like training of our perceptions….
#193 Training Our Perceptions in the Spiritual Gymnasium of Challenge Hebrews 5.16
Hebrews 5:16 "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
The word training in the Greek is Strong’s #1128 "Gumnazo" (sort of like gymnazium!) and means "to practice naked in the games". The Lord is taking us to take to the mat!! This is obviously an Olympic metaphor!!
The Olympics has been inspiring. It is all about coordination of the mind and body and conditioning for a challenge that appears to be beyond the limits of human ability.
What is trained in our Spiritual Olympics is our "senses" #145 aistheterion: an organ of perception, ie. fig. judgment. Our perceptions are strengthened so that we can discern what thoughts and beliefs are good (#2570 kalos: beautiful, but chiefly good, ie valuable or virtuous) and which thoughts and beliefs are evil. We are trained in spiritual Olympic style, to recognize and approve what the mind of God and Christ would approve in matters of both doctrine and everyday lifestyle. Romans 12:2 We become strong to recognize and let go of what is not good for our spiritual health. We become strong to focus and act on what will bring spiritual vitality to ourselves and others.
What a beautiful picture of brain/body coordination that is developed in us as the body of Christ. By repeated practice through the power of the holy spirit we gain a connection with our Head, Christ Jesus, so that we are able to respond to his will and thinking. “…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16
In time and with repeated training, (the “PRACTICE” in Hebrews 5:16) our responses become more of a reflex.
"Be instant in season, out of season."
This repeated perception-training strengthens our spiritual muscles so that we can triumph in Christ as we face and embrace what appears to be beyond the limits of our ability.
Of coarse we have repeated experiences.
It isn’t failure, it’s just practice!
