Spiritual Exercises: Engaging the Word

Tuesday Word Feast

Spiritual Exercises for spiritual fitness

To be a Christian is to develop and have the Christ like nature by the help of the Holy Spirit. It was unbelievers who called us Christians in Antioch because they identified the early church’s way of living as being Christ like. Acts 11:26

Spiritual exercises are activities that are implemented for the purpose of increasing one’s personal spirituality or intimacy with God. It is deliberate and intentionally done in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” — ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7-8‬ ‭AMP

We see different people in the bible who engaged spiritual exercises to build intimacy with God e.g

Daniel did a partial fast for 21 days Daniel 10:2. Three times a day he would seek the Lord Daniel 6:10.

David prayed three times a day Psalm 55:17. He praised God Seven times a day Psalm 119:164.

To build intimacy with God, we need to exercise spiritually by so doing,we will train our spiritual senses.  We can hear, see, and perceive spiritually. We can become awakened and conscious of our spiritual life.

It’s possible to be born again and not exhibit the kingdom due to some practices. We can get these things out of the way when we exercise spiritually. We become Christ like by engaging in spiritual exercises which help us to lay aside the carnal ways. We learn to walk in the spirit by engaging spiritual exercises.

“For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” — ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:17-23‬ ‭AMP

There is a sinful nature which will always oppose your spirit nature, it’s like two politicians contesting for an office, the person that has the highest vote will take the seat. The more votes you give the spirit engagements, the more the Holy Spirit gains dominance and in turn you become consistent with the will of God.

The more you give your votes to the flesh the more works of the flesh you’ll produce because the flesh gains dominance and you become ruled by the flesh. When you consistently do that you will stray from the kingdom life. When you consistently give the Holy Spirit your will the more kingdom harvest you will have.

God doesn’t condemn you if you have any works of the flesh manifesting in your life, but he expects us to resist temptation. It is possible for the works of the flesh to lose its hold over you. God knows all your weakness, he drew you out of the world, that’s why the process of transformation is important . Christ likeness is the goal for every christian. We have to be discipled and nurtured into Christ likeness. The more we engage in spiritual exercises by the help of the Holy Spirit the more the flesh loses its grip and control.

Let’s see some spiritual exercises for your spiritual fitness :

1. Christian Meditation ( a Christian someone that is consistent with the nature of Christ/ a disciple).    

Meditation is practicing silence and solitude, quieting the mind to practice spirit consciousness . It helps to break the barrier of the flesh.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Joshua‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬.  

Cultivate the spiritual practice of meditating on the word, so we can do the what it teaches. The more of the word of God you mediate on the more of God you  become like.  

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” — ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The practice of meditation involves thinking, you process the word and keep focus on the word. When we keep turning it over in our minds the word begins to condense in our spirit and the power to make it a reality in our life is activated.  

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The word of God is able to divide the soul and the spirit and help you to make spiritual choices. We begin to apply ourselves spiritually to engage in different situations because of the power of the word that informs our decision.

God instructed Joshua to meditate on the book of the law day and night. When we narrow our minds to a spiritual truth through the practice of meditation we become spiritually awakened to it and start living in the consciousness of the truth.

The goal of meditation should be intimacy with God. Through the practice of meditation you will see yourself being able to break the barriers of the flesh .  The practice of meditation will take you where you want to be with God.

“My soul [my life, my very self] is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises [to You] with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate and thoughtfully focus on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings [where I am always protected] I sing for joy. My soul [my life, my very self] clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” — ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63:5-8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The practice of meditation can take you in a mode where you see yourself always wanting to be with God. The person we think of the most controls our affections . We can see David’s passion and desire for intimacy with God.

Some people in attempt to practice meditation practice witchcraft. The devil is in the business of perverting what God created. Believers should not be involved in any style of meditation that is not consistent with the word of God.

In 1 kings 19 Elijah ran from Jezebel, when he felt frustrated and burnt out, God came to Elijah in a still small voice. When we don’t learn to be still it would be difficult to hear the still small voice. When we are just tuned to the noise it’s possible to miss it. In meditation we practice to quiet our soul so we can hear God . It’s the still small voice that we should go for, not the noise.

The word of God that comes as a witness to your spirit is just as powerful as the audible voice. The witness of the Holy Spirit should be consistent in learning to hear God. Discipleship is important because we learn how to engage properly. As we engage in the atmosphere of God we enjoy the presence of God because we want his heart not just for what he can give us.   We engage any spiritual exercise with the goal of building intimacy and fellowship with God.

2. Quality Time in the Word

There are instructions for hearing, speaking, reading and thinking in the word of God. We need to spend quality time in the word.

“The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” — ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The reason for engaging the word is to live by the word . In your daily life , we take possession of the word with the goal to do the word. Whatever works of the flesh you are struggling with should never make you accept it as a kingdom standard. If you have issue with anger for example, never give consent to it as acceptable, but rather meditate on the word of God with the desire to doing it .

(i) Engaging the word of God against temptations:

We will look at temptations of Jesus Christ in the flesh in Matthew 4.

Jesus had to engage the word. If Christ was so hungry that he had to turn stones to bread he could do it, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to do so, remember he multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish. The reason behind the temptation was to reduce him to obey the flesh and glorify himself.

“He answered, “The Scriptures say: Bread alone will not satisfy, but true life is found in every word, which constantly goes forth from God’s mouth.” — ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus told the devil that even though in the flesh I am hungry, in the spirit I am full because of the word of God.

“Then the accuser transported Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem and perched him at the highest point of the temple and said to him, “If you’re really God’s Son, jump, and the angels will catch you. For it is written in the Scriptures: He will command his angels to protect you and they will lift you up so that you won’t even bruise your foot on a rock.” Once again Jesus said to him, “The Scriptures say: You must never put the Lord your God to a test.”Matthew‬ ‭4:5-7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE H IM ONLY.’ ”Matthew‬ ‭4:8-10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The devil showed him all the beauty of the world the kingdoms of the world and Jesus Christ told him to go away. At the first two instances Christ told him it is written and the conversation was still going on. The lesson here is that when we are being tempted we shouldn’t converse too long with the devil. That was the error of Eve she continued to speak with the devil until disobedience looked desirable.

“You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;” Hebrews‬ ‭12:4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We see through the temptations of Jesus Christ that we should strive against sin with the word of God. When we begin to engage the word of God we will see ourselves having victories over temptations. We will see ourselves doing the word of God. Whenever we want to engage spiritually we use the word of God.

(ii) Engaging spiritual Warfare

“in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books the number of years which, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the desolations [which had been] pronounced on Jerusalem would end; and it was seventy years.” — ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭9:2

It is the word of God that informed his warfare, because he discovered the will of God from the word.

We shouldn’t despise engaging the word.

We Discover  the will of God from the word of God as we spend quality time in the word.  We should cultivate the habit of reading the word and place high value on the word, it is the tool for your deliverance and the weapon that can be used to humiliate the devil. When we meditate on the word,it will come to a point when the word will come to you in a way that you had never seen. it becomes a weapon that you can easily apply in warfare for the challenges that are coming. When we live like this we gain stability in God.

Ways to Study the word

• by exposition of Characters.
• by books
• by subjects …etc

We study to be equipped, to know the ways of God and live by the word. We don’t just study like theologians with the sole purpose of acquiring academic knowledge of God’s word.

The word is the spiritual food that we need for our lives.

When we sit down with the word in study or listening to it, and push it from our mind to the spirit through meditation and confession, we discover the will of God and get empowered to walk in the ways of God.

Learning the discipline of staying in the word of God.

Word Challenge:

-Listen to the message,

-Write down the scriptures that you read

-Read the scriptures from the teaching at different points over and throughout your day.