1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Luke 6:27-28 TPT
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them. “
When we actively seek God and make Him first in our thoughts and life, we discover that “godliness” doesn’t just prepare us for eternity, it also transforms how we live right now. A healthy life—mentally, physically, and spiritually—starts with seeking Him first, then demonstrating His love to those around us as instructed in Luke.
There are many factors that affect our well-being. Our physical health is affected by what we do to keep ourselves in shape. Exercise takes discipline and strength. We know sleep and nutrition impact our health.
Paul reminds us that while physical training has value, it’s not enough on its own. We need something more—spiritual exercise. Godliness is what sustains us beyond the ups and downs of life.
Godliness is defined as conforming to God’s character in your thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions. Quite simply, being godly means being like Jesus. As believers, that is what we should be working towards in our actions and in our love. Godliness isn’t just about avoiding sin and bad habits. It’s about deliberately allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our lives around God’s presence and purpose. It is spiritual training—through prayer, reading Scripture, and studying it to understand precisely what God has said, and then our obedience to the instructions—that strengthens our souls.
When we seek Him first, we discover that blessing and praying for those who provoke us becomes easier. We learn to see everyone as important to God. They may be lost, but God loves them just as much as He loves us. While their words and actions will hurt us now, we realize (with the Spirit’s help) the trial is temporary as we demonstrate Jesus’s love, our spiritual well-being or maturity grows, providing value to us now and for eternity.
