The Wrong Kind of Exercise

We hear it all the time: "It's important to get enough exercise." Some people work very hard at their jobs, but still may not be getting exercise of the proper kind, strengthening all muscle groups of the body.

And some people get their exercise in ways that are actually detrimental to their well-being!

4 Jumping to conclusions. The Wisdom writer said, "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes," and" Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." (Proverbs 19:2; 21:5) The Apostle James wrote, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." (James 1:19)

4 Running other people down. "Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:11, 12) "If you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another." (Galatians 5:15)

4 Racing thoughts. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3) "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.In quietness and confidence is your strength.' " (Isaiah 30:15)

4 Skipping prayer. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7) "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6)

If you want to be healthy spiritually, get the right kind of exercise!

4 Run with patience the race that is set before you.
4 Walk in the Spirit.
4 Lean on the God of Israel..
4 Resist the Enemy, and after battle, stand firm.
4 Build [yourself] up in your most holy faith.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/