DAILY ENCOUNTER

TRAINING IS IMPORTANT

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Glory to God! Training is the deliberate process of teaching, developing, and conditioning a person or ability to function according to a desired standard or purpose. Training is not merely the transfer of information; it is the consistent practice of a particular way until that way becomes established in a person. Our opening scripture gave us a powerful revelation concerning training: what is deliberately trained into a child becomes a pattern that can influence the rest of his life. When a child is trained in the right way, that training becomes a foundation for his decisions, behaviour, character, and direction in life. In the same way, we must understand that our spiritual lives also require training. When we become born again, our spirit is made alive unto God, but we are still learning how to walk in the ways of the Kingdom. In a sense, our spirit man is like a child in the things of God. Therefore, we must train our spirit in the way of the Lord. There is a way we ought to go spiritually, but if our spirit man is not trained accordingly, it becomes very difficult when we get to the point where it is required of us. Like praying, studying the Word, and living a life of fasting, if our spirit is not trained when it's just young, it will be difficult to have those things as a way of life. For it is what we constantly expose ourselves to and deliberately practise; that becomes established as a way of life in us.

Training is what transforms knowledge into conduct. It is one thing to know that God's Word says, “Walk by faith.” It is another thing to train yourself to respond to circumstances by faith. It is one thing to know that we should forgive; it is another thing to train our hearts to forgive quickly. It is one thing to know that we should pray; it is another thing to develop a disciplined prayer life. Whatever you repeatedly practise, you become increasingly accustomed to. This is why spiritual growth requires discipline. We cannot expect a strong spiritual life without spiritual training. Just as an athlete trains his body until certain movements become natural, a believer must train his spirit until responding according to God's Word becomes his established pattern. Godliness requires training. There are things we must deliberately practise until they become part of our spiritual lifestyle. But training is not only important for our spirit; we must also train our minds. Many times, God gives us ideas, visions, dreams, and instructions, but an idea by itself is not enough. An idea is like a child; it has potential, but it needs nurturing, development, and execution before it can become something tangible. God can give you an excellent business idea, ministry vision, invention, book idea, or solution to a problem. But if your mind has not been trained to execute ideas, the idea may remain only an idea. This is why we must train our brain for execution. Training gives structure to potential. Therefore, don't despise training. Training may be the difference between having potential and fulfilling purpose. Train your spirit. Train your mind. Train your skills. Train your habits. Train yourself for execution. What you consistently train yourself to do today can become the pattern by which you live tomorrow. Give yourself to training today. Hallelujah!!!

FURTHER STUDY

1 Timothy 4:7–8; Hebrews 5:14; 2 Timothy 2:6

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What spiritual discipline do I need to deliberately train myself in today so that it can become a consistent way of life in me?
2. What idea, vision, or ability has God placed in me that I need to begin training and developing so I can move from potential to execution?

PRAYERS

Father, I obtain grace to subject my spirit man to training in Your Word, prayer, obedience, and godliness. Train my mind to think and execute the ideas You have placed within me. Give me discipline to remain consistent until Your ways become established patterns in my life in Jesus's name