Disciplined for Deployment | Week 1 | Healthy Balance Series

2 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ~ Titus 2:1-6 NASB

⁷ But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. ~ 1 Timothy 4:7a NASB

What Are These Worthless Stories?

• Gnostic Myths
• Jewish Folklore
• Pagan Superstitions
• Old Wives Tales

Why Paul Condemned These Myths

• They distract from the Gospel by having people waste time on speculative ideas.
• They were rooted in human tradition, not scripture
• They were used to manipulate people to gain influence, power, or money.
• They replaced true faith with fear and rituals relying on amulets, charms, or secret teachings.

How do you know if it’s a worthless story? Does it point to the power and authority of Jesus alone?

⁷  …Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; ~ 1 Timothy 4:7b NASB

When discipline lacks purpose, it becomes:

• Legalistic (focused on rules rather than transformation).
• Harsh and unnecessary (punishment rather than training).
• Meaningless suffering (pain without growth).

But when discipline has a clear purpose in this case, godliness it becomes:

• Transformational (shaping us into Christ’s image).
• Intentional (developing habits that lead to lasting change).
• Life-giving (leading to spiritual maturity and peace).

¹¹ For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. ¹² Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. ~ Hebrews 12:11-13 NASB

The idea of physical, mental, and spiritual discipline is to practice something so much that you get good at it in two ways. First, your muscles become stronger. Second, you develop muscle memory.

Godliness – “God Likeness” is the intention of looking so much like God in our daily life that it pleases Him.

• ⁹ Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB
• ³⁰ and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ~ Mark 12:30 NASB

A healthy physical life can enhance a healthy mental life. A healthy mental life can enhance our ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.

THE BODY

• Elijah’s Experience (1 Kings 19:3-8)
• Daniel’s Diet and Health (Daniel 1:12-17)
• Paul’s Endurance (1 Corinthians 9:27)
• *** Caution: The Bible does not equate physical fitness with godliness (1 Tim. 4:8). Some people have health struggles beyond their control, and God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

THE MIND

• Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” A mind that is renewed in Christ helps in spiritual discernment and devotion.
• Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” A mind anchored in truth strengthens one’s spiritual life.
• Philippians 4:8 – Thinking on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy leads to peace and alignment with God.
• *** Caution:Some people suffer from mental illness or cognitive decline and still have a strong spiritual life. Faith is not dependent on intellectual ability.

Discipline hinges on removing cues.

• Places
• Times
• Mood (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)
• Moments
• People

Words of Knowledge

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering with a pinched nerve in their lower back.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having muscle spasms in their lower back.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone of diverticulitis.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering with acid reflux.