Constant Practice for Spiritual Maturity

I hate doing the same things the same way all the time.  To me, “routine” is just a “rut” with added letters to disguise it.  The older I get, however, the more value I find in repetition and consistency.

Sunday, as I watched the FSU Women’s softball team on TV, one of the commentators, Michele Smith, a former Olympic pitcher, mentioned how every time she practiced she did things the exact same way.  She extolled the virtues of a “routine.”  She mentioned that she did this so that in whatever situation she might be pitching, she would always feel comfortable.  Pitching was as natural to her as walking. Athletes develop routines so that their activity becomes so natural that they do not need to give it conscious thought. When pressure is on and fans are screaming and the game is on the line, they revert to what comes naturally and excel in those clutch situations.

We must beware of two caveats, however.  First, the athlete has to engage the routine, not just go through the motions.  Their “heart” has to be “in it.”  Secondly, the practice routine must involve doing the activity the proper way or else bad habits are programmed in place of the right way.

We succeed in whatever we choose to do when we INTENTIONALLY pursue the right goal in the right manner.  The writer of the book of Hebrews spends a good deal of the 5th chapter writing about spiritual maturity.  He identifies the spiritually mature person as one who has “their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14

What is your constant practice?  How do you “train” for spiritual success?  Bible reading and study, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, all when done intentionally, consistently, properly, and with our whole hearts provide a good routine that will help us act not naturally, but Godly when the pressure is on.

 

How to Pick a Fight with a Christian

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The fastest way to start a fight with a Christian is to engage him or her in a conversation about music – music for church as well as what they play on their mp3 player or in their car.  The hymns vs. praise song battles are well documented and that is a can I will leave closed for now.  Most would be surprised, however, to find that many believers are just as defensive about their personal choice of music AWAY from church as they are about the kind of music they prefer IN church.

When King Saul rebelled against God, the Bible says the spirit of the Lord departed from him and a “harmful” spirit from the Lord tormented him (1 Samuel 16).  Without going into the exegesis of the “harmful spirit,” suffice it to say, Saul was miserable.  His advisors suggested someone come and play music in order to soothe his spirit.  By God’s designed, the greatest worship song writer ever, David, came to play for Saul.

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

David’s music affected Saul in three positive ways: emotionally (refreshed), physically (was well), and spiritually (the harmful spirit departed).

Because music has access to the deepest resources of our being, we need to be aware of its effects on our lives and be more discriminating with the music to which you listen.  Worldly music exposes us to worldly values, and Biblical music exposes us to Biblical truth.

I am not referring to style, but rather to message.  Musical tones and sounds are the vehicle in which thoughts and ideas travel to the deepest resources of our being.  I challenge you to pay more careful attention to lyrics.  Do away with junk and instead choose music that exalts Christ, is consistent with Biblical truth, and brings your thoughts captive to Christ.

Turn off the world’s garbage and choose instead to listen to good “Christ-centered” music.  You will find it amazing how beneficial truth accompanied by music can affect your mood, thinking, and ultimately your actions.