God’s Gym

Descipleship

7But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

– 1 Timothy 4:7

14But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.

– Hebrews 5:14

11For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

– Hebrews 12:11
(NASB® © 2020)

In English, the term “gym” is used for the fitness studio – a place of training, exertion, and perseverance. Without stern discipline, the willingness to sweat, and the goal in mind – fitness of the body – there is no success there. In German, we use the term “Gymnasium,” which refers to a High School – a place characterized by diligence, energy, perseverance, and a willingness to learn.

Both terms come from the Greek word γυμνάζω (gumnazó), which the Holy Spirit interestingly uses three times when talking about the practical life of believers. The message is clear: progress in the spiritual life is impossible without energy, willingness to learn, diligence, perseverance, and discipline. A “Lukewarm-Christian” can never grow in faith. Regular, recurring times in fellowship with the Lord—with everything that goes with it—are indispensable. What can we learn about “God’s gumnazó”?

  • 1 Tim 4.7: “Exercise yourself toward godliness“. Godliness means the attitude to life of taking the Lord into every area of life. So, not just on Sundays, not just during (short) devotions after meals, but 24/7. Living in constant fellowship with the Lord, combined with a corresponding mindset and a practical trust in faith, does not come automatically. This requires diligent, sometimes hard training.
  • Heb 5:14: “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.” Wanting to live in a way that is pleasing God and to grow in it, it is important to know God’s standard and, therefore, His will precisely. Here, we find the idea of regular training before us (“as a result of habituation”) – constant training is necessary for progress in the spiritual life.
  • Heb 12:11: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” The point of this passage is that there is a reward, a sense of accomplishment, for those who have persevered in difficulties. Without a view of what you are training for or why you are exerting yourself, no one would go to the gym. Training requires a constant focus on the goal.

These three points are crucial for us as Christians to make progress in our spiritual lives: hard, diligent training, consistent, regular training, and keeping the training goal in mind. The Lord wants to help us with this. Ultimately, only He can give us growth if we make ourselves available to Him!

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Share this article:

You want to contact us? Ask a question or let us know what you think! 

Write a message here!

Leave a Comment

Abiding in Christ

This article is about abiding in Christ as both privilege and responsibility: only by living in dependence on His presence can believers bear “fruit” that reflects His character. It stresses that fruit isn’t produced by striving for it, but by focusing on Christ—“without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4–5

The Favor of the World

This article is about how the world’s praise can be shallow and fleeting. Using Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction to Daniel and the crowd’s reversal toward Paul, it warns that exaggerated favor can quickly turn into hostility without true inner change.
 Daniel 2,46

Which Believers Go Through the Great Tribulation?

This article is about whether today’s Christians will face the Great Tribulation. It argues the church will be raptured before end-time wrath, explains the rapture vs. Christ’s public appearing, and identifies the believers in Revelation’s tribulation as those who come to faith after the rapture.
Marriage & Family

Situationship

This article is about “situationships”: undefined, commitment-free relationships that blur friendship and romance. Using Leon and Emma as an example, it warns they create imbalance and hurt, and argues from a biblical view for clarity, responsibility, protection, purity, and commitment toward marriage.
Amos 3:3

The Hummingbird – a Masterpiece of God’s Creation

This article is about the hummingbird as a marvel of nature—exploring its unique hovering flight, specialized wing and muscle structure, extreme metabolism, nectar-feeding tongue design, and cooling methods, framed as evidence of divine creative power.
Romans 1:20

Scripture Alone?!

This article is about whether 2 Timothy 3:16–17 undermines “Scripture alone.” It argues the passage supports Scripture’s sufficiency, distinguishes apostolic teaching from later tradition, affirms NT authority, and says the church recognized—not created—the canon.
2 Timothy 3:16.17

Revelation—Not a Book with Seven Seals!

This article is about why the Bible’s book of Revelation isn’t a sealed mystery but an “unveiling” of future events centered on Jesus Christ. It explains key opening verses, symbolic language, the chain of revelation, and the blessing for reading, hearing, and keeping its message.
Revelation 1:1-3
Gospel

My Sin is Great

This article is about sincere confession: admitting our sin is great and seeking forgiveness for God’s name’s sake. It explains that faith trusts God’s mercy shown in Christ’s cross, producing honesty that doesn’t downplay guilt, and notes the Psalms’ purposeful order.
Psalm 25:11
Church/Assembly

All Present Before God

This article is about Acts 10:33 and Cornelius’s gathering as a model for Christian meetings: obedience to God’s leading, awareness of God’s presence, listening to the whole message without picking parts, and speaking only what God commands—nothing added or omitted.
Acts 10:33

Q&A What does it mean, that God has given us “of His Spirit”

This article is about the meaning of “from His Spirit” in 1 John 4:13, explaining it doesn’t mean believers receive only part of the Spirit. Instead, it highlights what proceeds from God’s Spirit—love, truth, holiness—becoming visible evidence that God abides in us.
1 John 3:24; 4:13

Our Great High Priest

This article is about Jesus as the superior High Priest in Hebrews: His once-for-all sacrifice for sin, His ongoing heavenly service with compassion and help for believers, and His continual intercession before God that brings grace, mercy, and confidence to draw near.
Hebrews 2:17–18; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24
Bible Study

The Old Man and The New Man

This article is about the New Testament concepts of the “old self” and “new self”: the old self judged and crucified with Christ, the new self created in His resurrection, and how believers should live out their new identity by putting off old traits and displaying Christlike ones.
Romans 6:6; Ephesians 2:15; 4:22.24; Colossians 3:9.10