We develop our spirit by exercise or by doing the Word of God.
1 Timothy 4:7,8 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it. NLT
My husband and I go to the gym and exercise to stay alert, strong and healthy in our bodies and minds. There is some value in physical exercise; but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. KJV
Spiritual exercise is extremely important in the development and the building up of our faith. Exercise is being a doer of the Word. We must be a doer of the Word.
How many people have purchased workout DVDs and they are still sitting on a shelf in their home exercise room and not ever used? How many home workout gyms are not being used? The person purchased the gym equipment because they saw these trim and fit people using this exercise equipment and the shipping boxes are still unopened. Some put them together and never go and use the equipment and it is just sitting there.
It is one thing to talk about exercise and it is another thing entirely to exercise. We must continue to do our spiritual exercises of meditating the Word, speaking the Word, be a doer of the Word, believe what the Word says instead of the circumstances, praying and giving it to the Lord, waiting on the Lord, and then just resting.
The difference between the person who exercises the Word and is a doer of the Word and one who is not:
Luke 6:46-49 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. KJV
When we are doing the Word we are building up and strengthening our spirit to such a degree that our house will not fall, will not end in tragedy, our marriages and families will stay in tack, our ministries and businesses will be more productive for the Kingdom, etc.
Being a hearer and acting or being a doer of the Word is a key revelation. It doesn't matter how much you know about what the Word says, if you are not doing it then you will not get results. That is just the way it is.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. KJV
"Then", then you shall make your way prosperous and then shall you have good success. We can't make our way prosperous by just knowing it; but we make our way prosperous by obeying it and doing it and we can do that.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. KJV
If we want to develop a stronger spirit and develop a stronger faith in a particular area then we must feed on the Word for that particular area in our lives and exercise our faith in that Word. If you have a fear of something, then go to the Word of God and find a scripture such as this scripture:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV
Continue to confess that scripture and others you find that deal with fear and then act on that Word and challenge your fear and you will overcome that fear. You can overcome any challenge in your life by going through the same process.
We have various muscles, like we have a forgiveness muscle, a love muscle, prosperity muscle, healing muscle, and we can exercise them as we meditate the Word, speak the Word, believe the Word, stand on that Word and act on the Word concerning each one.
To exercise forgiveness muscle then we can use this scripture:
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. KJV
This is what God has said but this is what we can say and exercise our forgiveness muscle, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out your transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember your sins against me." So we can exercise with the Word of God and the more we exercise the Word the stronger we become. In short, that is doing the Word. Exercising with the Word of God is the key to life, key to blessing, key to health, and key to prosperity.
If we be willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land.