Pro Athletes Outreach’s Director of Baseball Ministry, Eddie Taubensee, has been pouring into the lives of pro baseball players for many years now. Here’s what Eddie has to share today about training for Godliness:

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” — Matthew 4:4

As athletes, you train almost year-round, and that physical training requires taking in the proper amount of calories in order to become strong and healthy, leading you to get the results you want in a game. Many invest in a trainer to push them to where they need to go, in order to build and maintain continued success and longevity in their sport. Physical training is essential for the athlete’s success; even the Bible mentions it:

“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.” — 1 Timothy 4:8

While in this verse Paul acknowledges that, yes, physical training is important, he places a higher emphasis on the importance of spiritual training, encouraging Timothy to keep his eyes on eternal things.

We need then to be taking in Biblical calories; we need to be eating spiritual MEALS.

Memorizing God’s Word helps us to stay pure, and not to wander and sin.

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” — Psalm 119:9-11

Examine and know Scripture to keep yourself and others in check.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” — Acts 17:11

Apply God’s Word to your life. If we hear God’s Word and do not apply it to our lives, we are foolish.

“But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” — Matthew 7:26

Listen to God, being obedient out of your love for Him.

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’” — 1 Samuel 3:10

Study God’s Word and put what you learn into practice. It’s one thing to hear God’s Word, but we need to practice it and teach it to others.

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” — Ezra 7:10

Which meal is more important in your life, the one that affects your physical life, or the one that affects your spiritual life? Are you more concerned with what the temporary, physical results will be or the eternal, spiritual results? What we put into our bodies affects how we perform physically, and it’s the same with our spiritual lives. Make sure you’re eating the proper meals.

PRAYER: Lord, I want to have more of those spiritual MEALS that I know are going to build me up for the purpose of Godliness.

— Eddie Taubensee

The Increase, part of the Sports Spectrum Network, is a community of Christian pro athletes sharing their personal stories of the decrease of self and the increase of Christ (John 3:30). Visit TheIncrease.com for more stories and videos.