5. With the help and guidance of the Spirit, I can train my body to follow my desires by choosing appropriate disciplines to practice.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

How does this statement seem to you? What thoughts does it stir in you?

What are some areas of your life where you are “trying hard” to do something?

Where are places in your life where you are “training” to do something?

When you choose spiritual activities such as reading the Bible, attending church, and serving others, do you choose them because they will help shape and change you, or for some other reason?

Reflect on your awareness of the Spirit’s role in guiding the spiritual things you choose to do. Do you do them because you sense His leading? What other motives might you have for choosing?

How does the idea of “spiritual disciplines” seem to you? For example, does the concept seem helpful, legalistic, un-Christian, etc.?

By the time we reach adulthood, there will be many behaviors that have become habitual. Even though we may desire to be different, our body has become so used to having its way that breaking its habits may seem impossible.

As believers we may desire to change these habits but find ourselves powerless to do so. No matter how hard we try, it seems that nothing changes, and we are tempted to--and often do--give up even trying. A more successful approach to transformation is to train our bodies. God’s way of training is much different than the method of trying harder. Although both methods require effort, training is different from trying in several ways. First it assumes that failure will happen.

Any training program expects that the goal will not always be reached and certainly it will not be reached quickly. The best professional basketball team will, on average, miss more shots than it makes. Missing the goal is just part of the game. Second, God’s training approach is saturated with grace. Because of God’s grace, our failures do not define us. When we fail, we often let the voice of Satan condemn us and suggest that we give up. But grace encourages us to keep on. Third,

a well-designed training program is strategic in selecting appropriate activities and disciplines to help accomplish the desired goal. There is no limit to the number of disciplines that can be used to bring about transformation in our lives, but not every discipline is appropriate for every situation. Choosing disciplines that match the behavior can be helped by receiving guidance from someone who understands and has experience with this. Finally,

God’s training program is guided by His Spirit, who brings about the transformation we desire. Our unhealthy behaviors are the symptoms of deeper diseases that we have. We cannot heal ourselves from these diseases, but our disciplines and training co-operate with the Spirit who does heal these diseases. As the disease is healed, the symptoms (behaviors) naturally will also end.

We will never experience healing by simply trying harder, but with Spirit-guided training we can be transformed.