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By: Dr. Steven Pace
January 27, 2025
It has been said that “the joy of indulging in junk food is like a fleeting fireworks display; it lights up the moment but leaves a trail of consequences.”[1]While junk food may provide immediate satisfaction, its long-term consequences on health can be significant. Instead, it is better to make healthy choices for our overall well-being. Our spiritual life is much like this. We need to grow spiritually by being disciplined in healthy things like the Bible, prayer, and service.
In the latter period of Paul’s life, he wrote two letters to his spiritual son in the faith, Timothy. These were often very personal and instructive to the young Timothy in relation to pastoring the church. One instruction Paul gives is that Timothy needs to avoid certain unhealthy practices and focus on healthy ones. In 1 Timothy 4:6-7, Paul tells Timothy that he needs to nourish himself in the scriptures rather than in worldly fables and myths. These worldly fables and myths are often associated with false teaching.[2]
“Instead of wasting time on myths and fables, he should exercise himself to godliness. Such exercise involves reading and studying the Bible, prayer, meditation, and witnessing to others.[3]
Instead of wasting time on spiritual junk food, Paul exhorts Timothy to spend time on spiritual practices such as the Bible and prayer. This would not be a passive activity but rather a discipline he would need to continually develop. Paul uses the word “gumnázō,” which is where we derive the English word gymnasium. In other words, Timothy would need to exercise or train himself in these spiritual practices. By doing so, he will grow spiritually healthy.
“To serve Christ effectively, in the capacity that Timothy was, demanded much personal feeding upon the Word of God.”[4]
While junk food may provide immediate satisfaction, its long-term consequences on health can be significant. Such is the case with our spiritual intake. We need to discipline ourselves with healthy spiritual practices such as time in the Bible, prayer, and service.
“I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.” (Psalm 119:15-16 NASB 95)
[1]Anonymous quote.
[2]See 1 Timothy 1:4 & 6:20.
[3] Believer’sBible Commentary, pg. 2157.
[4] HomerKent. The Pastoral Epistles, pg. 155-156.
